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and numerous barriers to residency in place for international students to stay after graduation, America's outdated immigration policy could allow other countries to out-compete us by attracting and keeping the best and brightest there and not here.
Demand again expected to far outstrip supply of visas for highly skilled workers
SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday was Day 1 of the application window for 85,000 visas for highly skilled workers, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Serviceswas already talking about resorting to a lottery. “If USCIS receives an excess of petitions during the first five… Read More
How immigration reform would affect small businesses
Immigration reform has long been a divisive issue, as politicians, advocacy groups, and pundits fight over whether Congress should grant legal status to the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. But there’s at least one group that has for the most part reliably remained in favor of… Read More
Not Passing Immigration Reform is Madness
From colleges to companies, immigrants are a critical part of the team when it comes to competing globally. But America’s broken immigration system is leaving a substantial amount of opportunity on the sidelines. Congress has a chance to score a big win for the nation’s economy. Fixing the… Read More
Increase H-1B visas as part of the DHS appropriations bill
Although funding for the Department of Homeland Security has been settled (with Republicans once again learning the folly of taking a hopeless position) the need for bipartisan solutions to immigration reform remains. A good first step would be for the new Republican majorities in Congress to pass a bill expanding… Read More
Statement of Partnership for a New American Economy Chairman John Feinblatt on the Startup Act
CONTACT Ryan Williams, New American Economy, [email protected] “Entrepreneurs are the job creators that help drive this economy forward, but today our immigration policy turns many of them away, while other countries fight to welcome them,” said John Feinblatt, Chairman of New American Economy. “The Startup Act is… Read More
A. Scott Anderson: Time to pass Immigration Innovation Act
It’s not often that Congress and the president have the opportunity to do something to improve the economy and create high-paying jobs — while at the same time showing citizens that Washington can get past gridlock and dysfunction and enact important public policy. That’s the opportunity Congress has with the… Read More
My view: Congress should act on Hatch’s I-Squared Act
We’ve all gotten used to dramatic and rapid changes in consumer technology. Companies that were dominant yesterday are gone today, and many that will be on top tomorrow haven’t even been started yet. Historically, the center of change was Silicon Valley. Even if we didn’t know who was… Read More
What’s missing in America’s immigration debate
Has the U.S. forgotten how critical a vibrant immigrant community and a functioning immigration policy are to the nation’s economy? A showdown is expected today in the U.S. Senate on a Homeland Security spending bill that would derail President Obama’s recent actions on immigration. What seems lost in this “inside-the-Beltway”… Read More
Op-ed: H-1B visa reform will ensure America retains its innovative status
Pick a problem that troubles our country today. It could be the rough shape of our infrastructure or the emergence of frightening new diseases. It might be the threat of terrorism or challenges to our economic influence around the globe. As an American, you’re probably optimistic that we… Read More
Super Bowl Super Grub
5 Super Snacks Created by Immigrants What do beer, cheese, tortilla chips, hot dogs, and Italian sandwiches all have in common? Aside from the fact that millions of Americans will be enjoying these snacks on Sunday night while huddled around the TV, immigrants invented these tasty favorites. So while you’re… 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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