job openings in the U.S., but only 6.4 million unemployed workers
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.
the average annual cost in tuition and fees for a full-time, in-district student to attend a community college.
Nearly ⅓ of community college students are of immigrant-origin
job openings in the U.S., but only 6.4 million unemployed workers
Practitioners are acutely aware of the need to collect data that tracks the backgrounds of immigrant-origin students as well as program outcomes, and some are moving in that direction.
A few institutions employ knowledgeable case managers to provide critical guidance and support to students at various points, such as intake, enrollment, ESL classes, and career plan mapping.
Several community college practitioners emphasize the importance of building trust and creating a sense of community to support immigrants and refugees.
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.
