Massachusetts: report on employment challenges for immigrants
A new report from the Boston Foundation and Latino Equity Fund examines how regulatory and credentialing requirements, among other factors, affect highly trained immigrants in Massachusetts. Titled “Tienen alas, pero no las pueden usar: Stories of Immigrants in Search of Work Credentials,” the report is based on interviews with 20 immigrants enrolled in ESOL classes and explores the challenges they face in re-entering regulated professions such as healthcare, engineering, and education. Participants described difficulties navigating licensure processes, including the time, cost, and complexity involved in meeting U.S. standards. Additional factors such as immigration status, language proficiency, and unfamiliarity with local job markets further complicate their efforts. The report notes that current credentialing systems may limit opportunities for skilled immigrants to contribute in their trained fields and highlights the potential value of more accessible and transparent pathways to licensure.