The Hispanic Institute launches key labor-immigration study

The Hispanic Institute, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization received a $600,000 grant from the United States Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to embark upon a major study and economic analysis of labor supply in vital industry clusters and the correlating effect upon them by the immigrant workforce.

Gus West, president of The Hispanic Institute (THI) Board of Directors, announced: “The project will achieve it’s goal of bringing clarity to workforce and industry issues through the reasoned analysis of credible and significant data sources in the areas of: industry trends, migration patterns and labor forecasting. The study will provide the basis for informed debate and the promulgation of fact-based development of public policy. “

“The U.S. population has seen a dramatic shift in the last 15 years,” Mr. West explained. “The native born population has seen its birthrate decrease significantly. The U.S. has reached a critical point where three significant trends – economic, immigration and population – have converged and may permanently change the country’s competitiveness and innovation. Dealing with this requires serious data analysis to provide a clear perspective to decision-makers on the complex issues involved.”

Mr. West, outlined the goals of the study as: developing a clearinghouse of existing research and analysis; collecting new data as it emerges from ongoing research; analyzing any correlations, themes and patterns within the data; bridging data gaps through targeted research, analysis and surveys; and publishing a final report of all findings.

The initial phase of the study will continue for the next two and one half years and will focus on specific regions within the southwestern United States.

The study will involve key stakeholders (corporations, foundations, all levels of government, industry associations, workforce development groups and others) to capture the largest pool of data and create the most diverse group of perspectives on these vital issues .

For more information about our study visit:

Population, Immigration, Labor and American Competitiveness