A report indicates that approximately 450,000 working-age Massachusetts residents are not proficient in English.

Over 450,000 Massachusetts residents have limited English-language proficiency, a new report finds.

The Boston Herald reported that the situation presents "another obstacle for an economy that is losing numerous taxpayers to other states with lower taxes and cost of living."

On Wednesday, a report released by MassInc and UMass Donahue revealed that about 10% of the state's workforce, or approximately 480,000 residents, have limited English proficiency (LEP). However, this data may be an undercount as it is based on 2022 Census estimates.

The report advises state officials to increase the proficiency of immigrants in LEP skills, which could result in an additional $3 billion in annual earnings for local economies. Additionally, the report suggests that immigrants have the potential to contribute significantly to the social and economic vitality of the commonwealth if they are fully accommodated.

The high number of migrants necessitates an immediate expansion of ESOL services.

The report suggests that more investment in ESOL is necessary now, as Massachusetts has developed innovative ways to provide these services, but state and federal ESOL funding has not kept up with the growth of our foreign-born population.

Gov. Maura Healey announced new restrictions on Tuesday that prioritize Massachusetts families for services, and the report follows.

The increasing number of migrants is putting a strain on the state's homeless shelter system.

Gov. Healey stated that our administration has made significant efforts to improve the system's sustainability and assist families in transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. However, Congress's inaction on immigration reform necessitates further changes, as she emphasized.

Last month, Healey revealed that she had dispatched members of her administration to the Texas border due to the "surge" of migrants heading towards Boston.

Officials will connect with federal agencies, NGOs, and migrant families to inform them about the limited availability of shelters in Massachusetts.

Numerous Democratic-led states and cities have grappled with the influx of migrants they are receiving. Numerous mayors have implored the Biden administration to provide them with additional federal funding and expedited work permits to enable migrants to obtain employment more rapidly and reduce their dependence on social services.

Planet Chronicle' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.