New Report Shows Immigrants in Santa Fe County Paid Over $122 Million in Taxes and Held Over $365 Million in Spending Power in 2019

SANTA FE COUNTY, NM, November 15, 2023—A new report, New Americans in Santa Fe County, released today by the American Immigration Council, in partnership with the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development and Somos Un Pueblo Unido, emphasizes the crucial role immigrants play in the county’s labor force, business creation, and consumer spending power.  

In 2019, more than 16,000 immigrants lived in Santa Fe County, representing 11.1% of the total population. In 2019 alone, immigrants in the county held $365.9 million in spending power, paid $78.8 million in federal taxes, and paid $43.8 million in state and local taxes. Despite making up 11.1% of the county’s overall population, immigrants represented 15.2% percent of its working age population and 15% percent of its employed labor force. 

The new report was awarded to the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development and Somos Un Pueblo Unido as part of the Gateways for Growth Challenge, a competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and/or technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities. The City and Somos convened a working group of community, education, and business stakeholders to create a strategic plan that will provide immigrant workers with more economic and workforce development opportunities. The plan will be finalized in February 2024. 

“Immigrants play an integral role in contributing to the City’s vibrancy as neighbors, family members, entrepreneurs, professionals, and beyond; their economic contributions cannot be overvalued. We are grateful to work with and support organizations and partners like Somos who are working hard to create equitable pathways to economic opportunity in our community,” said Johanna Nelson, director, Office of Economic Development. 

“Immigrant workers are vital to the local economy and should have access to workforce development opportunities and pathways to quality jobs,” said Marcela Díaz, executive director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido. “While Santa Fe has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to sensible and just immigration policies, more can be done to fully integrate immigrants into our city’s economic and workforce development plans. The Gateways for Growth project is helping us identify strategies needed to build a stronger and more inclusive economy.” 

“Knowing Santa Fe is a sanctuary city, I feel more protected, but it is expensive to live here, and I have to work two jobs. In Santa Fe, I feel welcome. It would be good if there were more opportunities for economic mobility for us immigrants. This report is important so that our community knows about immigrant workers’ contributions to our city’s economy,” said Verónica Velázquez, originally from Michoacán, who has lived in Santa Fe for 18 years and has primarily worked in the restaurant industry. 

“This new report reinforces why Santa Fe’s efforts to welcome immigrants are a crucial component of its economic growth,” said Asma Easa, policy manager, state and local initiatives at the American Immigration Council. “From boosting local business corridors, to growing the city’s tax base, sharing diverse cultural contributions, and helping address workforce shortages, immigrants are integral members across the community.” 

“Santa Fe County is just one example of how immigrant inclusion is part of the recipe for sustainable population and economic growth,” said Molly Hilligoss, network director of Welcoming America. “Through programs like Gateways for Growth, we’ve seen the widespread benefits to entire communities when immigrants are able to contribute fully, particularly as entrepreneurs, workers in key industries, neighbors, and community leaders.” 

The new research report, New Americans in Santa Fe County, finds: