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and numerous barriers to residency in place for international students to stay after graduation, America's outdated immigration policy could allow other countries to out-compete us by attracting and keeping the best and brightest there and not here.
Twelve Multi-Industry Associations Release Joint Guide to Understanding and Improving the H-1B Visa Program
CONTACTS Kasey Pipes, Compete America, [email protected] Ryan Williams, Partnership for a New American Economy, [email protected] Blair Holmes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, [email protected] Washington, D.C. — Compete America, New American Economy, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com NORTH CAROLINA FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, 1.7 STEM job openings were posted online in North Carolina for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in… Read More
U.S. Immigration Policies Force Romanian Entrepreneur to Start Tech Company in Canada
Mircea Pasoi is one foreign entrepreneur who heard Canada’s call. After interning at Google and Microsoft and then landing a job offer from Facebook in the United States, the Romanian-born computer scientist decided he’d be happier starting his own technology venture. But he quickly realized that settling in Silicon Valley… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN MISSOURI
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com MISSOURI FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, 3.1 STEM job openings were posted online in Missouri for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in… Read More
Entrepreneur from the UK Creates and Supports Jobs in Missouri
Amit Kothari is the exact sort of entrepreneur that many cities would love to attract to their area. With a degree in computer science, the United Kingdom native has been at the helm of various startups, including QuotationsBook.com — “a startup that tries to be for quotes what… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN MINNESOTA
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com MINNESOTA FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, 2.4 STEM job openings were posted online in Minnesota for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in the… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN MICHIGAN
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com MICHIGAN FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE Demand for STEM workers is outpacing supply: The Center for Michigan, an independent, nonpartisan think tank, revealed that Michigan graduated 20 percent too few computer and math professionals and 14 percent… Read More
Japanese Professor Creates Breakthrough Technology in U.S. and Changes Future of Fuel
Shota Atsumi, a chemical and biomolecular engineer, came to the United States in 2002 after being frustrated by the hierarchical academic culture in his native Japan. “It’s very difficult there for a young scientist to have any real independence,” Atsumi says, “and it’s not an easy place to take risks.”… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN LOUISIANA
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com LOUISIANA FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, 2.8 STEM job openings were posted online in Louisiana for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in the… Read More
Richardson: Immigration reform imperative for growth
The March jobs report was a stubborn reminder that America’s economic recovery remains fragile. And while securing 61 consecutive months of job growth is an impressive accomplishment in the wake of the Great Recession, the disappointing report underscores just how important it is to deploy every tool we have to… 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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