Economics of Immigration

Every year, U.S. employers seeking highly skilled foreign professionals have rolled the dice on April 1 and submitted their applications for the limited pool of H-1B visas available each fiscal year. With only 65,000 visas available for new hires - and 20,000 additional visas for foreign professionals who graduate with a Master’s or Doctorate from a U.S. university - in recent years demand has far outstripped the supply and the cap has been quickly reached. Understanding the H-1B process is important to understanding the vital economic role that higher-skilled immigration plays in growing our economy and creating new opportunities for native and foreign-born workers alike. H-1B workers do not harm native-born workers’ job opportunities, are not poorly compensated, and are not “cheap foreign labor.” In fact, their presence often leads to higher wages and more job opportunities. Highly skilled immigrants complement their native-born peers; they do not substitute for them. This is true throughout high-skilled occupations, but is particularly true in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Arguments that foreign-born workers and immigrants are depressing wages or displacing native-born workers are contradicted by the available evidence. The following guide answers the questions most often asked and debunks the most prevalent myths about the H-1B program.

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Published On: Wed, Apr 02, 2014 | Download File

Across the United States of America, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the economy. Immigrant small business owners contribute in many ways to their local communities. Furthermore, highly skilled immigrants are vital to the country’s innovation industries, and to the many metropolitan areas across the nation, helping to boost local economies.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute greatly to the United States’ economy.

The United States is home to many successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant. In 2010, more than 40 percent of the Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants (90 companies) or children of immigrants (114 companies), according to the Partnership for a New American Economy.Read more...

Published On: Tue, Mar 11, 2014 | Download File

In Wyoming, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute to the state’s economy. Additionally, highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to towns and cities within the state, helping to boost local economies.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to Wyoming’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 809 new immigrant business owners in Wyoming, and in 2010, 2.6 percent of all business owners in Wyoming were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $60 million, which is 3.3 percent of all net business income in the state.

• Wyoming is home to successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant, including well-known companies such as the Nebraska-based Kiewit Corporation. The Kiewit Corporation has two large mining subsidiaries based in Wyoming, Black Butte and Buckskin Mining Companies, who employ more than 2,000 people.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to Wyoming’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Sun, Aug 11, 2013 | Download File

In West Virginia, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to West Virginia’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 1,486 new immigrant business owners in West Virginia, and in 2010, 2.7 percent of all business owners in West Virginia were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $139 million, which is 5.1 percent of all net business income in the state.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to West Virginia’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Fri, Aug 16, 2013 | Download File

In Vermont, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to Vermont’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 1,700 new immigrant business owners in Vermont, and in 2010, 3.7 percent of all business owners in Vermont were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $84 million, which is 3.8 percent of all net business income in the state.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to Vermont’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Thu, Jul 11, 2013 | Download File

In South Dakota, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to South Dakota’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 606 new immigrant business owners in South Dakota, and in 2010, 1.2 percent of all business owners in South Dakota were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $13.1 million, which is 0.5 percent of all net business income in the state.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to South Dakota’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Sun, Mar 09, 2014 | Download File

In North Dakota, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to North Dakota’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 381 new immigrant business owners in North Dakota, and in 2010, 1 percent of all business owners in North Dakota were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $20.6 million, which is 1 percent of all net business income in the state.

• North Dakota is home to successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant, including Hebron Brick Company. Founded by German immigrant Charles C. Weigel, the company employs over 50 people and brings in $2.5 million in revenue each year.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to North Dakota’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Mon, Aug 19, 2013 | Download File

In New Hampshire, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to New Hampshire’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 4,253 new immigrant business owners in New Hampshire, and in 2010, 5.7 percent of all business owners in New Hampshire were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $252 million, which is 5.8 percent of all net business income in the state.

• New Hampshire is home to many successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant, including well-known companies such as the footwear company Timberland. Based in Stratham, Timberland currently employs more than 5,800 people and has over $1.5 billion in annual revenue.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to New Hampshire’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Sat, Nov 30, 2013 | Download File

In Nebraska, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to Nebraska’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 3,905 new immigrant business owners in Nebraska, and in 2010, 3.9 percent of all business owners in Nebraska were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $126 million, which is 2.7 percent of all net business income in the state.

• Nebraska is home to many successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant, or companies whose success relies on immigration like ConAgra. Many brands now sold by ConAgra, which employs more than 26,000 people and has more than $13 billion in revenue, were brands that started as immigrant founded businesses.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to Nebraska’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Wed, Oct 16, 2013 | Download File

In Montana, there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring in additional revenue, create jobs, and contribute to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation industries, and to the metropolitan areas within the state, helping to boost local economies. Furthermore, local government, business, and non-profit leaders recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives.

Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to Montana’s economy.

• From 2006 to 2010, there were 1,061 new immigrant business owners in Montana, and in 2010, 1.5 percent of all business owners in Montana were foreign-born.

• In 2010, new immigrant business owners had a total net business income of $44 million, which is 1.4 percent of all net business income in the state.

Highly skilled immigrants are vital to Montana’s innovation industries, which in turn helps lead American innovation and creates jobs.Read more...

Published On: Thu, Jul 18, 2013 | Download File