State's economy draws immigrants

Good news from Wyoming. A thriving economy and lots of jobs attracting workers, including immigrant workers. DP

By JARED MILLER, Star-Tribune staff writer

casperstartribune.net: CHEYENNE -- While much of the nation is enduring a downturn, Wyoming’s economy is thriving, and the availability of jobs is attracting more immigrant workers, a state economist said.

"Wyoming has experienced an increase in its foreign-born population, and that is mainly driven by the state’s strong economy," said Amy Bittner, an economist with the Department of Administration and Information's Economic Analysis Division.

Wyoming’s immigrant population jumped 17.5 percent between 2006 and 2007, the largest percentage gain in the nation, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

An estimated 16,360 immigrants lived in the state in 2007, up from fewer than 14,000 in 2006, the figures show.

The majority, almost 52 percent, came from Latin America. Nearly 44 percent were from Mexico.

Despite the increase, Wyoming’s foreign-born population comprised just over 3 percent of the total population in 2007, compared with a nationwide level of 12.6 percent, and ranked 44th highest in the nation, according to the Census numbers.

The Census Bureau’s estimates for immigrants include those in the state legally and illegally, because the agency does not ask about legal status.

Nationally, the wave of immigrants entering the United States slowed dramatically last year as the economy faltered and the government stepped up enforcement of immigration laws.

The nation added about a half million immigrants in 2007, down from more than 1.8 million the year before, according to the Census figures.
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