Combat NJ ‘Brain Drain’ By Attracting More Immigrants, Group Says

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey loses thousands of college graduates to other states every year, a “brain drain” that has worried experts throughout the state. But a nonprofit business advocacy group thinks it has an idea to shore up the number of highly skilled workers in the Garden State: attract more immigrants.

Choose New Jersey recently announced that it is planning to launch a concierge service for “highly-skilled, professional, technical and globally-mobile legal immigrants.”

The goal? To help new arrivals and their families hit the ground running when they move to the United States.

It isn’t easy – even for people who come to the country with a jaw-dropping resume and a high-paying job in hand. There’s housing to hunt down… bank accounts to open… school enrollment to muck your way through.

And that’s why a “concierge service” is needed to help these highly sought-after workers adjust to their new home, Choose New Jersey says.

The nonprofit has put out a request for information (RFI) to potential contractors who can provide housing support, English language services, employment assistance, cultural orientation and other essential services. Learn more here.

Vendors will work in New Jersey, as well as through Choose New Jersey’s international offices in India, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Israel and Ireland.

According to the nonprofit – which was created under the tenure of former Republican Gov. Chris Christie – the state is already seeing the impact that immigrant entrepreneurs can make on a local community:

“As New Jersey’s immigrant population grows, so does its skilled workforce. The state’s foreign-born residents comprise more than 24 percent of the population and 29 percent of its labor force, making up more than $85 billion in spending power.”

One-third of New Jersey business owners are immigrants – who generate more than $4 billion in revenue, the group says. Read More: NJ Immigrants Own 47 Percent Of ‘Main Street’ Businesses

Choose New Jersey’s proposal got a thumbs-up from Gov. Phil Murphy.

“This initiative positions New Jersey as a national leader in workforce innovation, ensuring that our state not only attracts the best global talent – but also provides them with the resources to thrive,” Murphy said.

“By offering skilled immigrants critical support, we’re strengthening our economy, empowering our communities, and reinforcing New Jersey’s status as ‘The World’s State,’ the ultimate destination for businesses and workers seeking unmatched opportunity and success,” the governor added.

• See Related: Here's New Jersey's 'Most Inspiring' Immigrant, Poll Says
• See Related: NJ Group Offers Free Citizenship Classes For Green Card Holders

UNDOCUMENTED IMMGRANTS, TAXES AND THE ECONOMY

While some business advocates such as Choose New Jersey have been focusing their efforts on immigrants who arrived legally in the U.S., others have pointed out that undocumented residents also contribute to the Garden State economy.

A recent study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that undocumented immigrants in New Jersey paid more than $1.32 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. Researchers estimate that this amount could have topped $1.65 billion if each of them had legal status. Read More: NJ Undocumented Immigrants Pay $1B In Taxes Per Year (Here’s How)

Some conservatives have argued that there’s a flip side to the coin: undocumented immigrants also receive government services and increase the burden on local schools and infrastructure.

Immigration and labor advocates have countered these arguments with their own. Undocumented residents are often paying into programs they aren’t eligible for, such as Social Security, unemployment and Medicare. They are also ineligible for federal tax benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.

Undocumented immigrants are also vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace, advocates say.

• See Related: NJ Temp Workers Say Tragic Car Crash Shows Urgent Need For Change
• See Related: Latina Workers In NJ Face One Of America's Ugliest Pay Gaps
• See Related: NJ Farmworkers Are Being Cheated By Unfair Pay Laws, Suit Claims
• See Related: NJ Businesses That ‘Threaten’ Immigrant Workers Will Face Penalties

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.