- Immigrant women in Utah significantly contribute to the economy and their communities despite facing significant challenges.
- New American women in Utah paid $3.1 billion in state and local taxes in 2023.
- Challenges include language barriers, discrimination and limited access to services and opportunities.
LOGAN — A new report from the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University outlines both the challenges immigrant and refugee women face in Utah, along with "vital" contributions they make to the state's economy and communities.
"New American women are essential to Utah's present and future," Susan Madsen, founding director of the project and a co-author of the report, said in a statement. "They strengthen our workforce, enrich our communities and contribute billions to our economy. Yet many face significant barriers that limit their ability to thrive."
In 2024, nearly 342,000 immigrant and refugee women and girls called the Beehive State home, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau — good for 9.8% of the state's population at the time.
The report focuses on three categories of immigrants: humanitarian immigrants (refugees and asylum seekers), immigrants with legal authorization and immigrants without legal authorization, using the term "new Americans" to refer to all three groups.
Contributions
The report showed that new Americans heavily contribute to Utah's statewide economy, paying $3.1 billion in state and local taxes in 2023.
In Salt Lake City, new Americans pumped $3.4 billion into the local economy and paid $1.1 billion in taxes. In 2019, the New American Economy report from the American Immigration Council noted that Salt Lake City alone had 6,822 immigrant entrepreneurs.
Additionally, unauthorized immigrants in Utah paid $235.1 million in state and local taxes, which would grow by an estimated $57.4 million if these individuals were granted legal status, according to the report.
"New Americans keep Utah's economy growing at a sustainable rate as the state ages. They also help meet the caregiving needs of older Utahns. Immigrants and refugees also contribute to the state economy by starting businesses and creating new jobs," said the report.
Challenges
Despite their contributions to both the state and local economies, new American women in Utah face a barrage of challenges that largely parallel the challenges faced by immigrants across the U.S.
The report noted these challenges include language and cultural barriers, issues accessing healthcare and other services, social isolation, lack of transportation, and obstacles to accessing educational and occupational opportunities.
"In refugee families, for instance, men's jobs and children's education are prioritized, but the needs and contributions of refugee women can be forgotten," said the report. "Refugee women in Utah seeking to increase their skills (such as English fluency or educational and job skills) often come up against barriers such as transportation, lack of support from family, and childcare needs."
Additionally, many new American women in Utah are subjected to discrimination due to racial or cultural differences, with the report noting this problem is especially prevalent for hijab-wearing women and those with accents.
And when economic conditions get tough in Utah, foreign-born Utahns are more likely to feel the squeeze of statewide downturns and austerity measures than U.S.-born Utahns, said the report.
Specifically, the report showed foreign-born Utahns are less likely to be homeowners (59.5% of foreign-born Utahns versus 70.9% of U.S.-born individuals), are more than twice as likely to experience poverty in their families (9.4% versus 4.8%), and have a lower median income ($81,899 versus $99,250).
What can be done?
The report outlined actionable steps individuals, organizations and policymakers could take to improve the welfare of immigrant and refugee women in Utah, which include:
- Supporting local organizations that serve immigrants and refugees.
- Expanding access to childcare, transportation and English-language instruction.
- Strengthening pathways to education, employment and credential recognition.
- Promoting inclusive community spaces and reducing discrimination.
- Ensuring policies that enhance access to food assistance, housing and healthcare.
"Utah's future depends on our ability to welcome, support and fully integrate new American women and their families," Robyn Blackburn, project research fellow and lead author, said in a statement. "When we remove barriers and expand opportunities, everyone benefits."
The full report can be found here.
