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Brookings Study Cites Recent Rise of Immigrants to PhiladelphiaBrookings Study Cites Recent Rise of Immigrants to Philadelphia Public and private sectors must respond, says study sponsor The Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia --- The Philadelphia region is home to over 500,000 immigrants, according to a Brookings Institution report sponsored by The Philadelphia Foundation, a leading center for philanthropy in Pennsylvania, the William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation and the Independence Foundation. Immigrants comprise 9 percent of the region's population and nearly 75 percent of the area's labor force growth since 2000, with the most rapid immigration growth occurring in the suburbs. The report will be released, and Mayor Nutter will discuss its regional implications, at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 13 at The Free Library of Philadelphia, located at 1901 Vine St. The press conference will include a panel discussion with community and thought leaders. The event is free and open to the public, with a reservation. For reservations, more information or an advance copy of the study, contact Michele Leiberman at 215-790-7847, or via e-mail at michele@karmaverse.com. A long history of immigration to Philadelphia stalled in the mid-20th century. However, in the last 15 years, immigration has again emerged as a prominent characteristic of life in the region, prompting the study, Recent Immigration to Philadelphia: Regional Change in a Re-Emerging Gateway. The varied immigrant groups, including high-skilled professionals, refugees and laborers from a diverse set of countries, bring both opportunities and challenges for policy makers, service providers, and communities throughout the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area. “The influx of new immigrants to Philadelphia has implications for our regional economy, government policy and services and the communities where our newest residents live and work,” says R. Andrew Swinney, President of The Philadelphia Foundation. “How Philadelphia understands its immigrant and refugee population, and their role in the economy will influence their future and that of the entire region.” The Philadelphia Foundation, in collaboration with a group of funders, sponsored the study in order to gain both a broad and deep perspective of the immigrant community, so it can better understand the needs and demands on the nonprofits that serve them. Over the last 15 years, The Philadelphia Foundation has awarded more than $218 million to community-based organizations, many of which serve the growing immigrant population. Key findings include: * Among its peers, metropolitan Philadelphia has the largest and fastest growing immigrant population, which now stands at over 500,000, comprising 9 percent of the population. * Metropolitan Philadelphia has a diverse mix of immigrants and refugees from Asia (39 percent), Latin America and the Caribbean (28 percent), Europe (23 percent) and Africa (8 percent). * Immigrant growth in suburban Philadelphia has outpaced the city¢s growth, but numerically, the city has the largest population of all local jurisdictions. * Nearly 60 percent of the foreign-born living in metropolitan Philadelphia arrived in the United States after 1990. * Nearly 75 percent of greater Philadelphia¢s labor force growth since 2000 is attributable to immigrants. The report also highlights the challenges and importance of building English skills and increasing language access for immigrants. The results of the study suggest that immigrant integration should be treated as a shared regional goal. Overcoming historic fragmentation by developing a regional response poses a hard but necessary challenge, and the report suggests the region would benefit from developing a Delaware Valley Council on Immigration, as well as a clearinghouse for data and research on the immigrant population. “The Philadelphia metropolitan area appears to be re-emerging as an important immigrant destination,” said Audrey Singer, Brookings Institution Senior Fellow and lead author of the report. “Reaching out to immigrants is necessary for the continued economic and social vitality of the region.” The report is based on 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 decennial data and the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS) from the U.S. Census Bureau. Elisabeth Perez-Luna, executive producer at WHYY, will moderate the event. Panelists include Audrey Singer, lead Brookings researcher; Camille Barnett, managing director for the City of Philadelphia; Ron Chen, public advocate of New Jersey; Anne O¢Callaghan, executive director of the Welcoming Center; and David Thornburgh, executive director of the Fels Institute of Government, University of Pennsylvania. About The Philadelphia Foundation The Philadelphia Foundation is Southeastern Pennsylvania¢s leading center for community philanthropic engagement and is committed to improving the quality of life in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties through 750 charitable funds established by its donors since 1918. The Philadelphia Foundation improves the community by advancing change, leading on issues of importance, forging meaningful relationships and providing knowledge, resources and stewardship.
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