Global Competitiveness
The United States has long been the destination for the world’s most talented immigrants. Despite the last 50 years of technological advancement, American immigration policy has remained virtually unchanged, putting in danger America's global competitiveness. Yesterday's immigration policy no longer meets today’s economic needs. Only about 14 percent of all U.S. green cards are given for economic reasons, compared to more than 60 percent in Canada and Australia. With no dedicated visa for entrepreneurs and numerous barriers to residency in place for international students to stay after graduation, America's outdated immigration policy could allow other countries to out-compete us by attracting and keeping the best and brightest there and not here.
NAE Cities Index 2021
This year marks the fourth installment of NAE’s Cities Index, our annual assessment of how immigrants fare in the largest 100 cities in the United States. Developed in conjunction with 10 of the nation’s leading experts on immigration and integration, the NAE Cities Index uses 59 separate metrics to… Read More
Mexican Family Starts Business and Contributes to San Mateo County
Marilu Bedolla-Jaimes In 2000, when four-year-old Marilu Bedolla-Jaimes relocated from Mexico to the Bay area, the only English word she knew was “doggy.” Her parents, who had come to America for better economic opportunities, were unsure of how to address their most basic needs, such as securing housing, a bank… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on Immigration Provisions of House Reconciliation Bill
“The House reconciliation bill would take many important steps to make our broken immigration system more fair, more efficient, and a better driver of economic growth, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, essential workers, and TPS and DED holders, along with important provisions to recapture unused visas and allocate… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director on Senate’s Budget Resolution
Following Senate Democrats unveiling their budget framework, New American Economy issued the following statement: “Throughout the course of the pandemic, Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers have been a lifeline — caring for the sick, keeping our food supply chain in tact, and taking on many more… Read More
Lebanese Chef Starts Popular Restaurant and Hookah Lounge in Columbus
Tarek AlbastOwner, Mr. Hummus Grill Tarek Albast, the owner of Mr. Hummus Grill, began his career in the food industry as a teen chef in Lebanon. By age 15, he was serving as head chef and managing 22 people in a local restaurant. However, his 14-hour workdays netted him… Read More
Argentinian Exchange Student Turned Communications Entrepreneur in Columbus
Natasha PongonisFounder, Nativa Natasha Pongonis came to the U.S. as an exchange student attending the Ohio State University. A native Argentinian, she envisioned a brief stay in Ohio and then a post-college life pursuing an architecture career in Europe. But fate had other plans. At OSU she fell in… Read More
Nigerian Reporter Starts Publication to Highlight Immigrant Community in Columbus
Deba UwadiaeEditor-in-Chief, New Americans Magazine In 2010, Deba Uwadiae, his wife and three children were selected to receive visas through the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, allowing them to move from their native Nigeria to Columbus, Ohio. Their transition wasn’t easy. In Nigeria, Deba had risen from political reporter to… Read More
First-Generation American Champions Opportunities in Columbus
Antoinette WilsonCEO, Triumph Communications As a first-generation American growing up in Toledo, Ohio, Antoinette Wilson watched her parents make a tangible difference in their community. Her father was a pediatric physician from the Philippines. Her mother was a pediatric nurse from Panama. Over three decades, the family helped over 30,000 patients at their practice. “Every time we… Read More
New American Economy Statement on the Introduction of the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act
Following Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) introduction of a new bill, New American Economy issued the following statement: “Immigrants are more likely to start a business than the rest of the population, making them essential job creators and a crucial piece of a successful U.S. economy,” said Executive Director of New… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on DACA Ruling
Following Judge Hanen’s ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, New American Econonmy issued the following statement: “Today’s ruling on the DACA case underscores the need for Congress to pass a DREAM Act now,” said Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of New American Economy. “Dreamers are part of this country… Read More
Impending Labor Challenges
The United States is facing demographic challenges that endanger its preeminent economic position in the world. An aging workforce threatens the vitality of the labor force. At the same time, the supply of U.S.-trained engineers is lagging behind nearly all other industrialized economies. At a time when tech-heavy and innovation driven industries are driving economic growth, the United States faces the prospect of being left behind.
Table 1: Share of Population Age 65+, 1996, 2006, 2016 and projected 2030
Table 2: Share of Undergrads Studying Engineering
Prioritizing Economic Needs
Many countries have identified the link between immigration and economic growth. For many, such moves are a matter of necessity–the domestic labor force is not sufficient for an expanding economy, and aging populations and declining fertility rates are creating labor shortages. Despite facing some of the same challenges, U.S. immigration policy has not changed to reflect our economy’s evolving needs.
Table 3: Percentage of All Permanent Residency Visas Given for Economic Reasons*
Need for a Start-Up Visa
Countries around the world, from France, to Chile, to Singapore have created visas aimed at attracting promising entrepreneurs and job creators. Despite concerns about meager job creation and business growth, however, the United States has not taken a similar step, endangering our position in the global race for talent. This situation was made worse in 2017 when the administration took the first steps to kill the International Entrepreneur Rule, a measure that would have allowed entrepreneurs with outside funding to remain in the country for 2.5 years to establish their businesses.
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