Center for Immigration Studies
Immigration System is Holding Back Social Enterprise
In 2007, Catalina Rojas and her husband started the Peace and Collaborative Development Network (PCDN), a social enterprise that connects more than 35,500 professionals, organizations, and students with the resources they need to scale social change. With help from their two part-time employees, their goal for this year is to… Read More
Thanks to Reagan Amnesty, Mexican-American Immigrant Builds a Business and Hires Michigan Workers
In 16 years, Guillermo Torres has seen his southeastern Michigan paving company grow to $1 million in annual revenue and add 12 full-time employees. With thousands of satisfied customers and the phone ringing off the hook, Torres says he could easily triple his revenue if only he could… Read More
Why Republican Governor Rick Snyder Calls Immigrants “Job Generators”
When Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan meets people, he likes to ask them to name five things that made America great. Almost always, he says, they wind up talking about the contributions made by immigrants. “I challenge anyone not to put immigration on that list,” he says. Certainly, he says,… Read More
Paver Says his Company’s Growth Is Stifled Without the Ability to Hire More Immigrant Workers
When Craig Parker started at Silver Star Construction in 1992, the company focused on earthworks, or moving dirt around. Today it’s the largest commercial paving contractor in greater Oklahoma City, with annual revenues approaching $70 million and a staff of close to 200. The company maintains the roads for Moore… Read More
This Syrian-Born Doctor is Helping to Alleviate Nevada’s Physician Shortage
It took the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas three years to fill a job opening for a pediatric gastroenterologist. This is hardly a surprise given the nationwide shortage of physicians with a pediatric subspecialty, a shortage that means families often have to wait months… Read More
Immigrant Entrepreneur Wants to Bring 500 Jobs to Tennessee, Needs Immigration Reform to Do It
When Darius Mir opened his company Made in America (MIA) Seating in Union City, Tenn. two years ago, he pledged to create 500 jobs for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district in five years. Despite earning a projected $50 million in group sales this year alone, the U.S. immigration system may actually… Read More
South Korean Immigrant Making His Mark on Education, Business in Maine
South Korean immigrant Tae Chong spends his days helping to grow Maine’s economy. And he does this, specifically, by helping his fellow immigrants. Chong is a business adviser at Coastal Enterprises Inc., a nonprofit specializing in economic development with 11 offices across the state. There, he works in a program… Read More
This Regional Franchise Owner Recognizes Value of Immigrant Business Owners
As the regional franchise owner for commercial cleaning giant Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems Midwest, Alison Mairet oversees more than 40 franchisees, ranging in size from single-person businesses with revenues of $5,000 a year to million-dollar operations with large teams that serve scores of commercial clients. Mairet estimates that 40 percent of… Read More
A Chinese-American Executive Helps Chinese Companies Invest in Michigan Workers
Chinese companies are expected to invest $30 billion in the United States this year — and as president of the Detroit Chinese Business Association, Jerry Xu is determined to ensure that as many of those dollars as possible come to Michigan. The Wolverine State already… Read More
Lorain County Commissioner: Immigrants Boost Economic Growth
Over his eight-year tenure as a state representative for Ohio’s 55th district, current Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy saw how the negative national discourse on immigration reform so easily trickled down to the local level. “Many elected officials have turned something unique and positive – opportunity and improvement… Read More
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