Immigrants and WIOA Services: Comparison of Sociodemographic Characteristics of Native- and Foreign-Born Adults in the United States

Since 1990, approximately 1 million immigrants have settled in the United States per year, many with needs for adult education and workforce training services. As the federal government and states ramp up implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which provides the framework for provision of adult education and workforce services, the law stands to play a critical role in supporting the upward mobility of the foreign born in the workforce and their successful integration into the civic life of the communities where they have settled.

Fact sheets for the United States and the 20 states and 25 counties (plus New York City) with the largest immigrant populations provide key characteristics of foreign-born and native-born residents that are relevant to understanding needs for adult education and workforce training services. Drawing upon MPI analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, the fact sheets provide estimates of the ages, origins, educational attainment, English proficiency, unemployment and underemployment, parental status, poverty, health insurance coverage, and immigration status of U.S. and state populations. Click on the state or county links below to access individual fact sheets.