Stories

‘Polish Cowboy’ and Entrepreneur Says Immigration Policy Stifles Economic Growth
“I’ve always dreamed of moving to the United States and building my company here,” says Damian Nowak, the Polish co-founder and CEO of Virtkick, a startup that helps businesses set up their own cloud-hosting networks. This dream became a reality when Virtkick became one of 10 companies selected—of 1,100 that… Read More

Idaho Veterinarian Sees Troubling Labor Challenges in Clients’ Businesses
Elizabeth Kohtz grew up on a family farm in Idaho where her father relied on migrant workers to keep the dairy running. Immigration policy limited his access to workers. Today, Kohtz works as a dairy veterinarian and sees the same troubling labor challenges play out in her clients’ businesses. When… Read More

Holi – Celebrating the Indian Festival of Color Across America
As we officially enter our first week of spring, Indians the world over are gearing up for Holi, the festival that celebrates the end of winter and the onset of spring. Celebrated every year in the lunar month of Phalguna, it will be observed this year tomorrow, March 24. Though… Read More

Colombian Immigrant Helps Foreigner Investors Create American Jobs
Patricia Moore has always had an international view of the business world. An economist by trade, she spent years as a Colombian diplomat, representing her country in Norway and Iceland. She and her husband, Ricardo, launched Dallas-based consulting firm Sentrum International and became citizens in 2006. Sentrum helps prospective investors… Read More

Demand for Bilingual Workers Increasing in Florida
As employers strive to increase their competitiveness in the global economy, they are increasingly seeking candidates who have the language skills necessary to communicate with a diverse customer base, and with operations and competitors overseas. New analysis of Burning Glass data explores the growing demand for bilingual talent in Florida… Read More

Immigrants Make it Possible for Manufacturing Giant to Stay in Ohio — and Create American Jobs
When Atlapac, a manufacturer of plastic bags, was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1986, it was a small company: Only three machines and five employees. Today, its 60 machines and 80 employees manufacture 380 million bags a year. Chances are, you’ve got Atlapac bags in your home. Nestle dog treats?… Read More

Dayton Business Leader and Veteran Has Seen Hispanic Immigrants Fuel Real Economic Growth in Ohio
Rafi Rodriguez, CEO of Rodriguez Financial Strategies and former president of the Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has a unique understanding of the loyalty that many South American immigrants feel toward their adopted country. Though an American citizen—he was born in Puerto Rico—Rodriguez’s Hispanic roots have given him great cultural… Read More

Taiwanese Immigrant Brings Asian Festival and Scores of Steady Jobs to Rocky Mountain Region
The morning of the very first Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in 2001, Ding-Wen Hsu was worried no one would show. Hsu had accomplished a lot since immigrating to the United States from Taiwan, including founding a successful company that makes roughly $10 million annually and employs 75 people. Read More

This Entrepreneur says Diversity Provides America with a Unique Economic Advantage
The American melting pot sets this country apart from almost every other nation, says Jie “Jay” Zheng, a Chinese-American chemist and restaurant owner in Denver. “That is something that’s unique to us that China and other countries cannot do,” Zheng says. But, he adds, to make the most of our… Read More

Weekend Reading: Highlights from this week’s immigration news (March 14 – 18)
Exit polls from Tuesday show the majority of Republican primary voters in Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri support a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants, which is consistent with results from the previous Republican primaries. Portland City Council will hold a public hearing next Tuesday, seeking feedback about… Read More
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