A Defining Force in Houston’s Economy
In Houston, immigration is not an abstract issue, it is a defining feature of our economy and a key driver of growth.
Nearly one in four Houstonians is foreign-born, representing close to 2 million residents across the region. This diversity has helped shape one of the most dynamic economies in the country. Immigrants make up roughly one-third of the Houston-area workforce and have higher labor force participation rates than native-born residents, contributing to the region’s productivity and resilience.
Powering Key Industries
Across industries, immigrant talent plays a critical role. From construction and manufacturing to health care, logistics, and professional services, businesses depend on a workforce that reflects Houston’s global connectivity.
BY THE NUMBERS: Houston’s Foreign-Born Workforce
In some sectors, that reliance is especially pronounced. Immigrants account for half of construction workers and more than one-third of workers in key industries such as manufacturing, professional services, and hospitality. They also represent 35% of STEM workers and more than one-third of nurses and health aides, highlighting their importance across both high-skill and essential roles.
Economic Impact at Scale
The economic contributions are substantial. Immigrants in the Houston region generate $61.5 billion in spending power and contribute $20.5 billion in taxes. They are also highly entrepreneurial, representing 43% of business owners in the region and driving innovation, job creation, and local investment.
In addition, immigrant households contribute significantly to housing demand, with hundreds of thousands of homeowners and billions in housing wealth tied to this population.
Together, these trends point to a clear reality: Houston’s continued growth is closely tied to its ability to attract and retain talent from around the world.
Download the Immigration Impact One Pager
Workforce Challenges and Why It Matters
At the same time, businesses across the region are navigating persistent workforce challenges. Employers in key industries report ongoing difficulty finding qualified workers, particularly as demand continues to outpace supply.
Recent data shows that one in five Texas businesses has experienced challenges hiring or retaining workers due in part to immigration-related factors, while many report a shrinking pool of available candidates.
This is one of the primary reasons the Greater Houston Partnership has elevated immigration as a federal policy priority. For Houston’s business community, the issue directly affects the ability to grow, compete, and plan for the future. When employers cannot access the talent they need, the impacts are immediate: increased costs, delayed projects, and constrained expansion.
A Business-Focused Path Forward
From a business standpoint, the focus is clear: policies should provide consistency, reflect workforce realities, and support long-term economic growth.
The Partnership’s priorities center on strengthening legal workforce pathways, including modernizing visa programs to better align with industry demand and providing certainty for individuals already contributing to the economy, such as DACA recipients. It also includes advancing effective, orderly border management that supports both security and the efficient movement of goods and labor.
Equally important is better alignment between education and workforce systems to ensure talent pipelines meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries.
Explore the Partnership’s Federal Policy Priorities
For a deeper look at the data behind these trends and the Partnership’s policy priorities and recommended actions, explore our Immigration Impact overview.
Looking Ahead
Houston’s experience offers a clear example of what is possible. The region has long benefited from being open to new ideas, new businesses, and new talent, helping build a diverse and highly capable workforce that supports industries ranging from energy and life sciences to advanced manufacturing and technology.
Looking ahead, maintaining that momentum will require thoughtful approaches that recognize both the economic value of immigration and the operational realities facing employers.
Houston’s success has always been rooted in its ability to compete globally while growing locally. Ensuring that businesses have access to the talent they need, today and in the future, will remain an essential part of that equation.