Dear Mayor,

Below is a summary of the results of the immigration survey distributed by the League to our members.  Although response was relatively low, certain trends can be seen from the responses received.

Summary of Immigration Survey Results

Out of those municipalities responding, 44% reported an increase in immigrant population in the past five years, 16% reported no change, and 6% reported a decrease.  The top three non-English languages identified as spoken at home by residents were Spanish, Indian languages, and Chinese.

Municipalities report dealing with housing issues involving immigrants in a variety of ways. Out of those responding, 74% enforce the existing housing codes, 31% have passed new housing ordinances, and 14% conduct outreach to immigrant residents, including the distribution of housing codes and multilingual materials on topics like lead poisoning and fire safety.

Of those municipalities responding, 38% reported experience with immigrants unwilling to report crimes committed against them, and 20% reported experience with immigrants not willing to testify as witnesses to crime. In the past five years, an increase in crime against immigrants was reported by 22% of respondents, and an increase in crimes committed by immigrants was reported by 26% of respondents. Only 13% of respondent municipalities answered “yes” to whether federal or state law enforcement officials have sought cooperation with them regarding initiatives aimed at the immigrant population, although about 70% support such cooperative efforts.

Although there was a particularly low response to the questions in the survey concerning the economic impact, if any, of the immigrant population, nine of ten respondents indicated that the immigrant population has increased the economic growth or vitality of the municipality in the past five years.  New businesses and new customers for existing businesses were mentioned as pluses, while a lack of affordable housing for immigrants and an increase in the student population were mentioned as challenges to the economy. 

Similarly, an increase in the immigrant population in the schools was reported to have pluses and challenges for municipalities.  Only one respondent municipality reported having more than 50% English Language Learners or ELL (those whose first language is not English) in their schools. Of those responding, 58% had fewer than 3% ELL students and 32% had 5-10%. Not surprisingly, teaching complex language structures to these students, as well as the higher costs to schools associated with this population, were named as the challenges for the school system, while the multicultural environment and the acquisition of language skills were identified as benefits. Responses to these challenges and benefits included the use of comprehensive ESL programs, the use of multilingual materials, and outreach to parents.

The League is continuing to work with the State on this important issue through its able representatives on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy, Shing-Fu Hsueh, Mayor of West Windsor, and Michael Wildes, Mayor of Englewood and Chair of the League Task Force on Immigration.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        William G. Dressel, Jr.
                                                                        Executive Director