Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Economy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff present report finding immigrants make sizeable workforce and tax contributions to San Antonio
Summary
A city-commissioned report presented April 7 found roughly 344,000 immigrants in the San Antonio metro area (12.7% of the population), high labor-force participation and sector concentrations in construction, hospitality and manufacturing; staff said the findings will guide inclusion training and service access efforts.
City staff presented a commissioned report on April 7 that quantified immigrants' economic and demographic contributions to the San Antonio metro area and discussed inclusion strategies for city services.
Dr. Jennifer Mata, the city's director of compliance, opportunities and access, said the report estimates about 344,000 immigrants in the metro area (12.7% of the population), and noted that immigrant workers are concentrated in construction, general services, manufacturing and hospitality. Presenters said working-age immigrants show high labor-force participation (about 78.2%) and that immigrant-owned businesses represent an important share of entrepreneurship.
The presentation included economic figures: presenters said immigrants generate total income and consumer spending that materially support the local economy and that contributions to Social Security and Medicare in 2023 were cited in the report. Staff emphasized that the report is intended to guide city investment and inclusion actions such as training, online resource portals and partnerships with nonprofit and consular offices.
Councilmembers asked about barriers to services, naturalization and the local effects of state and federal policy changes. Presenters said the city is developing inclusion training and an online resource portal to help immigrants find available services; they also described partnerships with nonprofits and the consulate of Mexico to expand outreach.
The committee did not take formal action; staff said they will share more comparative data and continue using the report to inform programs such as workforce retention and service access.
