http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/4 ... &psp=money

Study: Mass. Immigrant Workforce Has Nearly Doubled
Growing Number Of Immigrants Have Limited English

POSTED: 2:28 pm EDT June 20, 2005
UPDATED: 2:49 pm EDT June 20, 2005

BOSTON -- A new report says the number of immigrants in the state's workforce nearly doubled from 1980 to 2004.

The study, by MassInc., also finds that a growing number of immigrants coming to Massachusetts have limited English-speaking skills.

A report entitled "The Changing Face of Massachusetts" said the percentage of immigrants with limited English ability jumped from 17.5 percent in 1980 to more than 21 percent last year.

The highest number of immigrants with limited English skills live in Chelsea, Mass., followed by Lawrence, Mass.

The research also finds that without the influx of immigrants, the state's labor force would be shrinking.

A majority of those coming into Massachusetts are from Brazil, accounting for nearly 1 out 5 new foreigners.