The some 5 million Black immigrants living in the United States represent a vital part of our national fabric. Hailing primarily from Caribbean nations like Haiti and Jamaica, and African countries including Nigeria and Ethiopia, these individuals and families contribute billions to our economy, serve in our hospitals and schools, and strengthen communities from coast to coast. Yet current immigration enforcement policies pose unique threats to Black communities, who face disproportionate targeting through the intersection of racialized policing and immigration enforcement. This fact sheet highlights both the essential contributions of Black immigrants and the urgent need to protect these communities from harmful enforcement practices.
5.1 million Black immigrants live across the United States, making up 12% of all Black residents.
The overwhelming majority of Black immigrants reside lawfully in the U.S.
Black immigrants contribute an estimated $182 billion to the U.S. economy each year
Black immigrants contribute billions each year to metro economies
3.5 million Black immigrants are in the U.S. workforce.
Restricting Black immigrants from doing their jobs will drive up everyday costs for everyday Americans, raising the prices of health care, food, goods, and essential services.
1.7 million U.S. citizen children depend on their Black immigrant parent's contributions to the U.S. workforce.
Black Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger from Coast to Coast
Florida
Maryland
New York
Massachusetts
Texas
California
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Minnesota
Virginia
Connecticut
Ohio
Indiana
North Carolina
Washington
IllinoisBlack immigrants strengthen our communities.
It is critical to ensure they can continue to contribute to our economy and take care of their families.
Data, Methods, Notes
Population and worker estimates are based on augmented 2024 American Community Survey (ACS). Estimates include population adjustments for likely undercounting of immigrants. All estimates were prepared by Dr. Phillip Connor, Research Fellow at Princeton University. See phillip-connor.com for more information on the ACS methodology. Black immigrants include those who self-classify their race as Black and not other races or two or more races.
Economic contribution is the total annual income after the payment of taxes. Federal and payroll taxes are based on tax rates from the Congressional Budget Office. State and local taxes are derived from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy's state tax rates and include all forms of state and local taxation. States and metros are top locations of residence for Black immigrants as derived from the ACS analysis.
Occupational categories were collapsed to provide meaningful groups, rounded to thousands. Descriptions of worker services and produced goods are based on researched multipliers and are conservative estimates, refraining from an exact estimate as two or more Black immigrants might be serving the same person or producing the same item.
