[FoxNews] The report states that the influx of migrants warrants an urgent need to expand access to 'English for Speakers of other Languages' services.The report, released by MassInc and UMass Donahue on Wednesday, found that an estimated 480,000 residents have limited English proficiency (LEP). This makes up approximately 10% of the state’s workforce. The data could be an undercount, considering that it stems from 2022 Census estimates.
The report urges state officials to accommodate the growing number of immigrants that could "contribute at their full potential to the commonwealth’s social and economic vitality." Furthermore, the report states that if state officials were to boost LEP skills by one level of proficiency, it could generate $3 billion in additional annual earnings to local economies.
Therefore, due to the influx of migrants, it warrants an urgent need to expand access to "English for Speakers of other Languages" (ESOL) services.
Per the report, "Nearly two decades later, additional investment to increase access to ESOL is more critical than ever. For, while Massachusetts has developed many creative models to deliver these services, state and federal ESOL spending has not kept pace with the growth of our foreign-born population."
The report comes after Gov. Maura Healey announced on Tuesday new restrictions that Massachusetts families must be prioritized for services.
The restrictions come amid a growing influx of migrants that is burdening the state’s homeless shelter system.