Economic Impact of Undocumented Workers in Oregon Counties with Concentrated Hispanic Populations

Abstract

Continued federal and state policies aimed at reducing the livelihood of undocumented workers may force these populations to move to other locations. With the loss of undocumented workers and their families, Oregon can expect to see losses in population, employment, industrial production and state and local revenue. As undocumented populations are unevenly distributed across the state similarly to Hispanic populations, this study expects six counties, Hood River, jefferson, Malheur, Marion, Morrow and Umatilla, will see more than an eightpercent population loss, double the expected state loss rate, and proportionally greater economic losses. By estimating the undocumented population in each of Oregon's 36 counties, this study further details potential economic losses in the six Oregon counties with concentrated Hispanic, and consequently, undocumented populations.