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and numerous barriers to residency in place for international students to stay after graduation, America's outdated immigration policy could allow other countries to out-compete us by attracting and keeping the best and brightest there and not here.
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN KANSAS
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com KANSAS FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, two STEM job openings were posted online in Kansas for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in… Read More
S.C. agriculture needs immigration reform
One of agriculture’s biggest and most demanding concerns is reforming our broken immigration system; an issue that, unfortunately, may not be resolved until after the next presidential election. The 2016 election may seem a long way off, but the race is already heating up with a large pool of candidates. Read More
U.S. Loses Talented Neurologist to Europe Because of Complicated Immigration Policies
Paulo Fontoura, an American-educated neurologist, found he could more easily settle abroad in Switzerland than remain in the United States. A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Fontoura originally came to the United States in 2000 to study neuroimmunology as a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University. While there, he helped develop a… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN INDIANA
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com INDIANA 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 Indiana for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in… Read More
An Ohio GOP argument for immigration reform
There has never been a better time for conservatives to take meaningful action on immigration reform. It is an issue that encompasses core values conservatives hold dear — job creation, economic growth, family values, work ethic, personal responsibility, enhancing national security and making government function properly. By leading instead of following… Read More
An Ohio GOP argument for immigration reform: Chris Gibbs (Opinion)
There has never been a better time for conservatives to take meaningful action on immigration reform. It is an issue that encompasses core values conservatives hold dear — job creation, economic growth, family values, work ethic, personal responsibility, enhancing national security and making government function properly. By leading instead of following… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN ILLINOIS
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com ILLINOIS FACES A LARGE STEM SHORTAGE There are more STEM job openings than unemployed STEM workers: From 2009 to 2011, 1.6 STEM job openings were posted online in Illinois for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in… Read More
Indian Student Develops Chlamydia Vaccine, Faces Challenges With U.S. Immigration System
Ashlesh Murthy, a former PhD student in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, is used to facing pretty daunting odds – both in his scientific endeavors and his personal life. As a child from a middle-class family in Bangalore, India, he needed an extremely… Read More
Modernizing visa system would help nation’s economy
When I retired after a career in the U.S. Marines, I wanted to find a way to continue to meaningfully contribute. So, I searched for a cutting edge technology to bring to market. Fortunately I was introduced to Dartmouth College chemistry professor Joe BelBruno, a leading expert in materials chemistry… Read More
HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRANTS IN IDAHO
Learn more about the need for high-skilled immigration reform at www.LetPJStay.com IDAHO 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 Idaho for every 1 unemployed STEM worker in the… 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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