In New York state, 1.8 million immigrants work in essential businesses
Facing great uncertainty, immigrants work to keep New Yorkers healthy, safe and fed
The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) released a new report Friday finding that immigrant workers are a crucial part of New York State’s response to COVID-19. According to the agency’s analysis of 2018 Census data, 1.8 million immigrants in New York work in “essential businesses” and about one-third of the state’s health care workers are immigrants.
The report comes at a time when New York State has been battered by more than 15,000 deaths related to COVID-19.
“This research demonstrates how vital immigrants are to New York’s response to the pandemic,” said CMS Executive Director Donald Kerwin. “In the midst of this crisis, immigrants are sustaining our health care, food, manufacturing, and other industries.”