From our colleagues at COABE (Coalition on Adult Basic Education):
"English language learners are important to the job market. Immigrants make up for the decline in the U.S.-born workforce as Baby Boomers retire. By 2030, it is estimated that nearly one in five U.S. workers will be an immigrant[i]. However, nearly 20 million adults have limited English proficiency.[ii] We must train and educate these adults by increasing their English language proficiency, improving their basic skills, and helping them achieve a high school diploma or equivalent, so that they are prepared to join and contribute to the future workforce."

[i] Lowell, B., Julia Gelatt, J, Jeanne Batalova, J. (2006). Immigrants and Labor Force Trends: The Future, Past and Present. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 4,6, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/TF17_Lowell.pdf

[ii] Wilson, J. (2014). Investing in English skills: The limited English proficient workforce in U.S. metropolitan areas. Washington, DC: Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings.