The Wall Street Journal
August 26, 2012
Americans are facing the most difficult economic headwinds in a generation. Future economic growth will depend in large part on our ability to maintain an edge in human capital. This means we must focus on immigration as a key economic driver rather than solely as a security issue. Immigration contributes to a healthier demographic profile—bringing younger workers to an aging population. Most important, immigrants add to America’s competitive strength in the global economy.
According to a 2011 Kauffman Foundation study, an immigrant is twice as likely to start a company as an American born here. A quarter of all American high-technology firms founded between 1995 and 2005 have had at least one immigrant founder, and 42% of the individuals who earn doctorates in science and engineering from our universities were born overseas.
