Immigration gives Maryland a much-needed economic boost.

Any serious list of Maryland’s top economic assets is sure to include its health care and scientific expertise, its transportation connections (water, air and land), and its proximity to East Coast markets and the nation’s capital. Yet there is at least one important asset that is often overlooked or left out: the state’s immigrants. We were tragically reminded of this important group last month when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, killing six Latino men who worked on it in the wee hours of the morning.

Office of Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman made the case last week about exactly how valuable immigration to Maryland is. In a 27-page policy brief, Lierman’s staff outlines how immigrants have greatly strengthened Maryland’s economy, especially since 2016. While Maryland’s U.S.-born labor force has grown by less than 1% since then, the immigrant labor force has grown by 8 % has grown and now represents more than 21% of the state’s labor pool of 3.3 million people. Without them, the state’s sluggish economic performance over the past eight years would have been even worse, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report notes that immigration is one of the most important factors in the overall recovery of the country’s workforce.

The good news: Maryland attracts a higher share of immigrants than neighboring states Virginia and Pennsylvania. The top five countries supplying these newcomers? El Salvador (11.7%), India (6.3%), China (4.7%), Nigeria (4.7%) and Guatemala (4%). And where do most of them live now in Maryland? Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties.

Make no mistake: Most foreign-born individuals are in the state legally, with about 55% of them being naturalized citizens and not just green card holders. And their value to the economy is clear. As the report notes, immigrants can be found in education, health care, food services, retail, seafood, construction and many more industries, often filling jobs that employers otherwise cannot find candidates for.

In January, the state’s budget chief made waves when she released another report noting that while Maryland’s economy was strong, with low unemployment and high productivity, the outlook for growth was less than ideal — whether they are measured by GDP, personal income, real wages or economic growth. population. The rise of immigrant workers could be Maryland’s best new economic asset.

What the authors do not write about – although we would like to point out – is that there is a huge contrast between the reality of the contributions of foreign-born workers and the political demonization of immigrants as, at best, a burden on our social economy. safety net and, at worst, a serious threat to our safety and security. Clearly, immigrants must enter America through legal channels, and more often than not. So when it comes to border security, why haven’t Republicans in Congress agreed to invest in increased security? Could it be that they benefit politically by stoking fear and resentment, rather than solving the problem?

Here is our suggestion. Lierman’s letter should be required reading in the State House and beyond. Not only as a reminder of immigrants’ contributions to the workforce in recent years, but as a roadmap for improving Maryland’s economy. Lawmakers should look for ways to make the Free State more attractive to immigrants. The opportunity is there.

The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson triangle was rated as the second-best metropolitan area in the country where immigrants “thrive,” behind only San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, according to the George W. Bush Institute-Southern Methodist University Economic Growth Initiative Northern California. Why don’t we strive to be the friendliest place in the country?

“Maryland’s economy will only benefit from continued international migration to its coastal areas,” the report concludes. In other words, let’s find ways to welcome immigrants—and put them to work so they can build better lives for themselves, their families, and for all of us.

Baltimore Sun editorial writers provide opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.