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and numerous barriers to residency in place for international students to stay after graduation, America's outdated immigration policy could allow other countries to out-compete us by attracting and keeping the best and brightest there and not here.
Immigration reform: recognize contributions by making the system work
St. Patrick’s Day is not simply a holiday to celebrate Irish heritage; it’s also a celebration of the immigration of many Irishmen and women to the shores of our country. From America’s founding, immigrants from a vast array of countries have been a central cornerstone of our nation’s incredible economic… Read More
More than 100 College and University Leaders Call for Immigration Reform
Leaders from more than 100 colleges and universities across the country urged their Congressional state delegations to support sensible immigration reform that will strengthen America’s economy. The nation’s institutions of higher education have long been magnets for bright, young minds from around the world. Leaders in academia depend on immigrant… Read More
Report: Immigration Bill Would Add Nearly 14,000 Jobs Per District
August 20, 2013 Jordan Fabian, ABC News The Senate’s immigration bill would add nearly 14,000 new jobs on average in each congressional district over the next decade, according to a new report. The new analysis is from the center-right American Action Network (AAN), which backs an overhaul of the… Read More
Bipartisan Immigration Group Recommends Pathway To Citizenship
August 15, 2013 Elise Foley, Huffington Post WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group including former governors and cabinet secretaries recommended on Thursday that immigration reform include a path to citizenship that begins with granting provisional status right away, rather than delaying the process until after enforcement and border security improvements are… Read More
Video – Immigration Reform: Making America Stronger
A new video from the Technology CEO Council reflects on President Ronald Reagan’s vision of America as a “shining city on a hill” that was bolstered by immigrants from around the world, and the positive impact that immigration reform promises for the nation’s future. Read More
McCain says immigration reform will create jobs
August 12, 2013 Bob Christie, The Kansas City Star PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain is trying to convince Arizona business leaders to support immigration reform by touting its impact on the state’s economy. McCain said Monday that giving the 11 million people in the country without legal status a path to citizenship… Read More
Immigration reform can let N.Y. benefit from world’s skills
Cornell University President David J. Skorton, Press Connects A growing number of Americans are coming around to an idea that the tech industry and other business groups have been promoting for quite a while: To fuel economic growth, especially in the tech sector, we need to make it easier for… Read More
The economic benefits of free trade in people
Linda Nazareth, The Globe and Mail If you believe that free trade in goods and services enhances growth (I do, as do all but a seriously select group of economists), then it is not much of a stretch to say that free trade in people should do the same thing. Read More
Immigration made U.S. world’s best startup
The Fresno Bee Immigration is pure entrepreneurship. You leave behind everything familiar to start somewhere new. To succeed, you need to develop alliances. You must acquire skills. You will have to improvise on occasion. It’s a bold proposition. Immigration is also fundamental to the U.S. national identity — as the… Read More
These Three Facts Prove That America Needs More Immigrants
Business Insider May 22, 2013 By Somesh Dash America finally has an opportunity to establish a sensible immigration policy in the coming months. The effects of the policy will have far reaching ramifications in terms of both economic and social implications for the country in years to come. 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.
