Report: Immigrants Are No Drain to State Economy

A new study on immigration statistics in Massachusetts shows immigrants will play a critical role in the work force in the coming years and do not burden society, one of its authors said.

The study, commissioned by the Immigrant Learning Center in Malden and based mostly on 2009 data, found immigrants had lower incomes but were more likely to be in the workforce than native-born residents.

Immigrants also used comparable public services.

“If there was any myth that immigrants are somehow costing society, that’s just not true,” said Alan Clayton-Matthews, a Northeastern University economics professor who co-authored the study with UMass-Boston political science professor Paul Watanabe.