As the United States gears up for a future where all growth in the working-age population will stem from immigrants and their children, a striking contradiction looms: Nearly 2.4 million educated immigrants remain unemployed or underemployed, on the fringes of the American workforce. Over two decades, Upwardly Global has been at the heart of this challenge, supporting nearly 10,000 immigrants, refugees, and asylees into professional-level jobs that contribute over $50 million annually to local economies.
In order to advance our goal of dismantling employment barriers for immigrant workers, investing in the community college ecosystem — which serves as an accessible pathway to workforce inclusion — is imperative. While nearly one-third of community college students are of immigrant-origin, these institutions face substantial hurdles in supporting this population at all skill levels, with limited research on effective programs and interventions that bridge disparities.
Key findings:
- $3,730: The average annual cost in tuition and fees for a full-time, in-district student to attend a community college. (source)
- $9,678: The average cost of in-state tuition. (source)
- $27,091: The average cost of out-of-state tuition. (source)
- 1/3: Nearly 1/3 of community college students are of immigrant origin.
- 8.8 million: Number of job openings in the U.S., but only 6.4 million unemployed workers.
As the U.S. faces critical labor shortages, it is more important than ever to address these barriers and unlock the untapped talent and potential of internationally trained professionals. Even more so, as the population ages and baby boomers retire.
The community college ecosystem provides immigrants and refugees with vital skills and intercultural learning experiences that enrich the U.S. workforce and its communities. Despite progress, gaps persist for immigrant-origin students, necessitating critical investments in resources and capacity building, as well as a collective effort among community colleges, workforce agencies, and community-based organizations.
Upwardly Global remains committed to addressing this critical issue, sharing insights as we collaborate with partners to advocate for enhanced funding and policies. We invite all to follow this issue, share your own findings, and join us in our goal to create inclusive education and workforce systems for the benefit of all.
