Economic Impact

Economic Impact

Immigrants are essential to the U.S. economy, filling roles from high-skilled tech sectors to agricultural labor and driving economic growth. They also contribute to the tax base and consumer spending. We champion reform that will maximize this effect and create a more diverse and competitive workforce.

Immigrants in Michigan

Immigrants in Michigan

Seven percent of Michigan residents are immigrants, while another 7 percent of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent. Read More

Immigrants in Louisiana

Immigrants in Louisiana

Four percent of Louisiana residents are immigrants, while another 4 percent of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent. Read More

Charlotte, NC Capitalizing on the Benefits of Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Charlotte, NC Capitalizing on the Benefits of Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Charlotte, North Carolina, like many southern metropolitan areas, has grown rapidly in recent decades. In 2013, when Charlotte declared itself a “welcoming city,” one in ten residents (10.1 percent) in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill metropolitan area were foreign-born, while one-third (32.6 percent) of “Main Street” business… Read More

The Power and Potential of High Skilled Immigration

The Power and Potential of High Skilled Immigration

Note: This article features the oral testimony of Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Council before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Read his full written testimony here. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today… Read More

Groups Recommend How the White House Could Boost Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Groups Recommend How the White House Could Boost Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners contribute to local economies, often forming the backbone of neighborhoods. As part of his November announcement on immigration executive action, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum that creates a White House Task Force on New Americans to explore ways to… Read More

Immigration Action Provides Certain H-4 Spouses Work Authorization

Immigration Action Provides Certain H-4 Spouses Work Authorization

As part of the package of executive actions announced in November 2014, the secretary of Homeland Security directed the immigration agencies to implement new policies and regulations intended to support U.S. high-skilled businesses and workers. Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the first of these… Read More

Immigrant Entrepreneurs Bring Vitality to Main Street, Help Local Economies Grow

Immigrant Entrepreneurs Bring Vitality to Main Street, Help Local Economies Grow

Midtown Global Market, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a place where vendors hawk fresh produce, baked goods, coffee and espressos, and arts and jewelry. And as its more than 40 different businesses represent people from five continents, the market is one example of how a city can cultivate the… Read More

New Study Finds Systematic Bias in Labor Certification Process

New Study Finds Systematic Bias in Labor Certification Process

In most cases, when an employer is interested in hiring a foreign national to work in the United States on a permanent basis, a permanent labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) is necessary. When required, the DOL must certify to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services… Read More

The Cost of Citizenship is a Barrier for Some Immigrants

The Cost of Citizenship is a Barrier for Some Immigrants

Of the 13.3 million legal permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States, 8.8 million are currently eligible for citizenship. Many, however, are not making the leap from legal permanent resident status to citizen. The number of those naturalizing has been less than 800,000 for the past five consecutive years,… Read More

Immigrants in Georgia

Immigrants in Georgia

One in ten Georgia residents is an immigrant, while 7 percent of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent. Read More

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