Immigrant Families Help Power Parkrose — That’s a Good Thing for All of Us
📍 A message for our Parkrose neighbors — business owners, families, workers, and community leaders
When we talk about what makes Parkrose strong, one thing stands out: our people. We’re a neighborhood built on hard work, resilience, and looking out for each other — no matter where we come from. And the truth is, immigrant families play a major role in helping our community thrive — economically, socially, and culturally.
But sometimes the national conversation around immigration gets loud and divisive. So let’s ground ourselves in some real, local truth: immigrant families don’t drain our resources — they help fuel the engine that keeps places like Parkrose going.
Here’s how:
They Pay Taxes — A Lot of Them
Whether they’re new to the country or have lived here for decades, immigrant families pay billions in income, payroll, and sales taxes every year. Even those who are undocumented contribute to Social Security and Medicare — systems they may never even benefit from — putting in more than they take out.
In fact, studies show immigrants in the U.S. are net contributors to the tax system. That means they help cover things like schools, roads, and public safety — which benefit all of us in Parkrose.
And here in Oregon, where many families rent their homes, immigrants still pay property taxes indirectly through rent — just like everyone else. Every time a neighbor shops at a local business or fills up their gas tank, they’re helping fund local services. This is how community works.
They Start Businesses and Create Jobs
Did you know that immigrants are more likely to start a business than people born in the U.S.? From food carts and hair salons to mechanics and grocery stores, immigrant-owned businesses are a big part of the backbone of Parkrose.
These businesses aren’t just employing family — they’re hiring locals, paying taxes, and keeping our district vibrant. When we support local immigrant entrepreneurs, we’re supporting the broader economy of Parkrose.
Nationally, immigrants run about 1 in 5 businesses — and their children go on to become doctors, engineers, and even Fortune 500 founders. That’s not theory. That’s happening across the country — and right here in our neighborhood.
Their Kids Succeed — Big Time
One of the strongest findings from economic studies? The children of immigrants tend to outperform even the children of native-born Americans when it comes to education, income, and community involvement.
They go to college at higher rates, start more businesses, and enter high-paying fields — all while carrying the values of hard work and family that their parents brought with them. That means they grow up to become high-contributing taxpayers, professionals, and leaders.
If you’ve ever taught in a Parkrose school or coached a youth soccer team here, you’ve seen it: these kids have hustle, heart, and big dreams.
They Help Keep Our Community Young and Working
We’ve all noticed that the population is aging. Retirees need support — through Medicare, Social Security, and care services. Immigrant families often fill that gap: they’re younger, working, and having children.
That means more people paying into our safety nets, more people available for essential jobs, and more families shopping, renting, and planting roots in our district.
In short? They’re helping carry the weight — not adding to it.
Diversity Is Our Strength — Not a Weakness
Parkrose is proudly diverse. We’re home to Latinx, Vietnamese, Black, Ukrainian, Pacific Islander, and East African families — among others. Some of us have been here for generations, others just arrived. But we all want the same things: safe streets, good schools, jobs that pay, and a future for our kids.
The idea that immigration is a threat? It just doesn’t hold up when you look at the facts — or when you walk around our community and see the contributions firsthand.
A Message to Our Neighbors
If you’re someone who works hard, pays taxes, and wants a better future, you have more in common with your immigrant neighbors than you think.
Immigration isn’t about politics. It’s about people — people building lives, raising families, and investing in the same streets we all call home.
So let’s flip the script. Let’s celebrate what we share, not fear what’s different. Let’s support immigrant-owned businesses, welcome new families, and make sure that every person who wants to contribute has the chance to do so — because when they do, Parkrose gets stronger.
💬 Want to get involved?
Historic Parkrose is working to build a more connected, thriving, and equitable business district — one that works for all of us. Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve been here 30 years, your voice matters.
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Together, we are Parkrose.
Let’s build a future where everyone contributes — and everyone benefits.
