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Massachusetts needs at least another 60,000 new immigrants by 2030 to prevent the economy from shrinking, a new report says.

Why it matters: Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in life sciences, health care and other industries amid rising costs, an immigration crackdown and competition from other U.S. tech hubs and China.

State of play: The report, authored by Boston Indicators and the MassINC Policy Center, warns that U.S. immigration levels could dip 90% by mid-2026 compared with their peak in 2024.

Massachusetts' net international migration fell by more than half in the first six months of President Trump's second term, per the report. 

If the trend continues, the health care, higher education and construction industries will lose workers crucial to their work, with ripple effects across the state's economy, researchers predict.

Threat level: The report suggests that losing new immigrants would dampen state spending.

Immigrant heads of households generated $50.5 billion in spending power in 2024 and billions more in state, local and federal taxes, per the report.

What they're saying: "This report illustrates in stark terms how policies to shut down or restrict immigration pathways will have significant negative impact for our overall population and labor force," said Lee Pelton, the Boston Foundation's president and CEO.

The other side: Republicans, including Gov. Maura Healey's rivals in the governor's race, have hammered the Healey administration over rising outmigration and its efforts to retain immigrants, regardless of legal status,  arguing they are detrimental to public safety.

Here are some of the costs projected in the report: 

🎓 A $1.4 billion loss in economic contributions could hit Mass. the next academic year if international student enrollment continues to decline.

Denials of H-1B visas for foreign-born workers, including some graduating from U.S. institutions, could prompt companies to send thousands of jobs overseas.

🩺 Health care, an industry already struggling with worker shortages and burnout, could lose some of its immigrant workers, who by one estimate make up 40% of employees in nursing homes alone.

The Supreme Court's impending decision on whether Trump can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) could upend the lives of thousands of Haitian workers here.

🏗️ Construction companies still hire undocumented workers, even in a powerful union-labor market. 

Losing them could mean delays and rising price tags to finish construction projects amid high interest rates and rising materials costs.

Yes, but: Immigration hardliners note that undocumented workers are typically paid under the table, avoiding income taxes.

What we're watching: The Supreme Court could issue its ruling on TPS, one of several immigration fights affecting the Bay State, as early as late June.

Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration

Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in life sciences, health care and other industries.

Photo illustration of an ICE agent and a man in a restaurant kitchen and another at a street food cart 

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Massachusetts needs at least another 60,000 new immigrants by 2030 to prevent the economy from shrinking, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/2026/June/immigration-workforce" target="_blank">new report</a> says.Why it matters: Massachusetts already risks losing its lead in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sciences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" data-vars-content-id="3c41135b-1c40-4501-8b26-1c0d2badadb2" data-vars-headline="Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/01/09/massachusetts-biotech-pharma-outlook" target="_self">life sciences</a>, health care and other industries amid rising costs, an immigration crackdown and competition from other U.S. tech hubs and China.

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Gov. Maura Healey vowed Massachusetts would stand firm against attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and celebrate Pride Month, but some of that backlash hit closer to home this week.

The big picture: Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, isn't immune to anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Catch up quick: Three days into Pride Month, Boston's LGBTQ+ community has faced backlash to the Boston Public Library's drag story hour series, threats to Trans Period Pride and other incidents.

An AI-generated Facebook post by state Rep. John Gaskey, a Carver Republican, that says "Pride Month? How about American Pride Month?" made the rounds among queer lawmakers.

State lawmakers walked into the House chamber Wednesday afternoon and saw small Pride flags stationed near Gaskey's seat. 

State of play: Surrounded by LGBTQ+ state lawmakers, Healey declared the state's defense of freedom for various communities as a cornerstone of Massachusetts politics as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.

What they're saying: "When it comes to life, liberty and freedom, we're going to stand our ground here in Massachusetts…," said Healey, the nation's first openly lesbian governor.

"That's my message to everybody this morning with love, with affection, with solidarity and with real resoluteness about where we are in this moment."

The other side: "While every adult has the right to live as they choose and be treated with dignity under the law, I do not believe state government should devote public resources, official ceremonies, or legislative attention to advocacy events such as Pride Month," Gaskey wrote in an email to Axios.

Gaskey also said his post was solely about patriotism and pride in America, not a criticism of any group or social movement. 

Between the lines: Elected officials routinely promote Massachusetts as a beacon of LGBTQ+ rights as other states ban gender-affirming treatments for youth, drag story hours and gender-neutral bathrooms.

Massachusetts ranked No. 1 on the State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index recently, and Greater Boston is packed with Pride events year-round. 

But it's also had a front-row seat to strife and controversy over LGBTQ+ rights, from the 2019 Straight Pride Parade to the counterprotest to a 2025 incident where a lesbian was misgendered and kicked out of a bathroom at the Liberty Hotel.

Zoom in: Some Boston-area leaders have responded similarly to Healey.

State Rep. John Moran, an openly gay Boston Democrat, posted a response video to Gaskey's post after it triggered comments referring to LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill.

Moran didn't mention Gaskey by name, but he blasted the post as offensive, saying it incorrectly suggests American pride and LGBTQ+ pride are mutually exclusive. (Gaskey says Moran decided to "project his own assumptions" about his Facebook post.)

Contrary to initial reports, the Trans Period Pride event is still on for June 17 at a different location, despite threats (the new address will be announced soon).

MassNOW, the advocacy group behind the event, issued a statement Wednesday vowing to double down on its support of "all menstruators regardless of their gender identity."

The bottom line: Even in blue Massachusetts, Pride Month and the community it celebrates remain controversial.

Boston-area residents and leaders are prioritizing joy, calling it a form of protest in its own right.

Healey vows to "stand our ground" amid anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Mass.

Massachusetts isn't immune to the backlash against LGBTQ+ rights and its community.

At a Pride event outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, Gov. Maura Healey speaks from a lectern amid rainbow flags and a "Happy Pride!" sign on June 3, 2026. She's got sunglasses on because of the glaring sun. 

Gov. Maura Healey speaks Wednesday at the State House's Pride flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios

Gov. Maura Healey vowed Massachusetts would stand firm against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attacks on LGBTQ+ rights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/anti-lgbtq-incidents-glaad-data-transgender" data-vars-content-id="aca936e1-4f3b-462d-bd6c-a3c56f4af9f7" data-vars-headline="Healey vows to &quot;stand our ground&quot; amid anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/anti-lgbtq-incidents-glaad-data-transgender" target="_self">attacks on LGBTQ+ rights</a> and celebrate Pride Month, but some of that backlash hit closer to home this week.The big picture: Massachusetts, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, isn&#x27;t immune to anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Culture

Things to Do

This weekend is packed with events surrounding the Pride for the People's annual parade on Saturday.

The big picture: Organizers moved up the parade due to the World Cup, which kicks off its first Boston Stadium game on June 13.

State of play: The parade starts at 11am near Copley Square and winds through Back Bay's streets before finishing on the Boston Common.

The festival on the common starts at noon, with performances by artists like the viral duo Flyana Boss and local band The Femmes.

The Copley Square block party starts at 2pm. 

The intrigue: Organizers dubbed this year's theme, "Pride as Protest since 1776."

It's a nod to both Pride's beginnings in 1969 Stonewall riots and the nation's 250th anniversary.

Here's what else is in the works this weekend.

The Dyke March: 6:30pm at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. 

Pride Night: Alex Newell and the Gay Men's Chorus: 7:30pm. 

Lost Pride 45s Tea Dance at Club Café: 6pm-9pm.

Pride Anthem Friday, also at Club Café: 9pm-2am. 

The Pride Drag Brunch Patio Party at Cósmica: 11am. 

Dani's Queer Bar (inside) hosts DJs and performances, starting at 1pm.  

Boston Pride Bar Festival in Fenway: 1pm-6pm. 

Just Plain Gay at Rebel Rebel (Bow Market): 1pm-6pm.

Downtown Boston Alliance's Pride Outside Party: 1pm-6pm. 

Pride House After Party at Spy Bar in the Revolution Hotel: 2pm-6pm.

Pride Main Event party at dbar in Dorchester: 9pm—2am.

Chandler Street Block Party in the South End: 2pm-7pm.

Pride Social at the Anchor in Charlestown, with salsa and bachata lessons: 7pm-11pm.

Dani's Pride Drag Brunch: 11:30am and 1:30pm. 

"Gag it" Pride patio party at Althea in Cambridge. 

Shake the Tree mixer by The Queer Neighborhood Council in the North End: 5pm-7pm.

Pride Night: Alex Newell and the Gay Men's Chorus

Boston Pride 2026: LGBTQ+ events this weekend

Boston celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride a weekend early.

Illustration of two event wristbands, one with the trans flag, and one with the pride flag. 

This weekend is packed with events surrounding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride for the People&#x27;s annual parade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/" data-vars-content-id="bdc3ccef-4066-4766-9b3c-fab1d4f1a220" data-vars-headline="Boston Pride 2026: LGBTQ+ events this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonprideforthepeople.org/" target="_blank">Pride for the People&#x27;s annual parade</a> on Saturday.The big picture: Organizers moved up the parade due to the World Cup, which kicks off its first Boston Stadium game on June 13.

The Mass. House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would extend last call for alcohol sales until 3am this summer.

Why it matters: The highly anticipated bill would put Massachusetts cities and towns serving World Cup fans on par with other World Cup host cities offering late-night service.

State of play: 147 House lawmakers voted yes on the bill Thursday afternoon, barely a week before the World Cup kicks off and heads to Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

Next it goes to the Senate and, if approved as-is, to Gov. Maura Healey's desk.

How it works: The proposal would take effect as soon as Healey signs, letting cities and towns pilot special drinking districts and extend alcohol sales.

What they're saying: Healey and Senate President Karen Spilka voiced their support of proposal.

"This is an opportunity to support local businesses while building on the excitement generated by the World Cup, the Tall Ships and other major events," a spokesperson for Spilka's office said in a statement to Axios.

What we're watching: The spokesperson did not say when the Senate plans to take up the bill, but the clock is ticking.

Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales

The proposal now moves to the Senate for a vote.

Illustration of competing restaurant neon signs. 

The Mass. House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extend last call" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" target="_self">extend last call</a> for alcohol sales until 3am this summer.Why it matters: The highly anticipated bill would put Massachusetts cities and towns serving World Cup fans on par with other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup host cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" target="_self">World Cup host cities</a> offering late-night service.

Food and Drink

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Featured stories

Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales

Take the Axios Boston news quiz!

Boston Pride 2026: LGBTQ+ events this weekend

Mass. economy could shrink by 2030 without more immigration

Healey vows to "stand our ground" amid anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in Mass.