Read our previous Entrepreneurship and Innovation Newsletters [1]
Latest Research
- Several new research reports describe results highlighting the importance of immigration to American innovation, entrepreneurship, and business. For example, a recent white paper (May 2013) by Gordon Hanson (University of California, San Diego) and Matt Slaughter (Dartmouth) examines talent, immigration, and U.S. economic competitiveness [2]. Specifically, the study describes the contribution of talent to American innovation and overall competitiveness, immigration’s contribution to U.S. talent in the past and present, and the supply of and demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent in America, highlighting immigrants’ role in helping meet that growing demand.
- A recent Immigrant Learning Center report, which ImmigrationImpact.com [3] highlighted on June 6, finds, as one might suspect, that immigrant entrepreneurs are key drivers in the transportation, food and building services industries. This report provides further examples of immigrant entrepreneurship and job creation in a variety of industry sectors.
- In a June 4 blog post on ImmigrationImpact.com, David Dyssegaard Kallick, Director of the Fiscal Policy Institute’s Immigration Research Initiative, introduced their new report about Three Ways Immigration Reform Would Make the Economy More Productive [4]. The report shows that effective legalization would do three things to increase U.S. economic productivity, one of which includes creating a more level playing field for businesses and workers.
- The Brookings Institution, on May 10 published a new report about H-1B Visas and the STEM Shortage [5], by Jonathan Rothwell and Neil G. Ruiz. This report provides analysis of new data on H-1B wages by occupation and suggests that the H-1B program helps to fill a shortage of workers in STEM occupations.
- A May 2013 study by Stuart Anderson at the National Foundation for American Policy, finds that H-1B visas are essential to attracting and retaining talent in America [6]. Specifically, the report states, “measures to restrict the use of H-1B visas are not based on sound evidence and would represent a serious policy mistake that would shift more work and resources outside the United States and harm the competitiveness of U.S. employers.”
News Updates
- We’re tracking via our blog how immigrant entrepreneurs fare in the new immigration bill [7] (May 28), placing an emphasis on the bill’s provisions for the new INVEST visa (Investing in New Venture, Entrepreneurial Startups, and Technologies). Other recent key blog posts include: facts about H-1B workers and the innovation economy [8] (May 14) and the important role of immigrants in America’s innovation economy [9] (May 10).
- A May 29th article in Business Insider highlights data and information on immigration in America and the growing shortage of high-skilled workers [10]. In particular, the article demonstrates how immigrant workers and entrepreneurs have played a formidable role in America’s economy throughout the country’s history. But it also describes the challenges we face if we fail to reform our outdated immigration system.
- A May panel hosted by America Abroad Media asks the question, “Is the U.S. losing the global race for the best and brightest entrepreneurial talent? [11]” which includes interviews with researchers, economists, business owners, and immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators.
Small Business Survey Results
- Two surveys conducted in the Spring of 2013 among small business owners show tremendous support for immigration reform. The first, a survey from Small Business Majority [12] (March 27) shows that the majority of small business owners throughout the country, whose views span the political spectrum, agree that the current immigration system is broken and that something must be done. Another survey from Main Street Alliance and American Sustainable Business Council [13] (April 2013), describes how small business owners are on the front lines of job creation and building strong local economies throughout the U.S. From that perspective, they offer key insights on immigration policy as it plays out at the local level and on immigration reform.