How do immigrants make America stronger?
Here are some key benefits:
Economic Contributions:
- Immigrants start businesses at a higher rate than non-immigrants. Approximately 18% of all small business owners in the U.S. are immigrants.
- Immigrants are 80% more likely to become entrepreneurs compared to native-born workers. AT&T, Google, Intel, Tesla were all founded by Immigrants. Apple and Amazon were founded by the children of immigrants.
- Immigrants are more likely to obtain U.S. patents as compared to native-born workers.
- They contribute to economic growth by creating jobs, paying taxes, and driving innovation.
Workforce and Skills:
- Immigrants fill gaps in the labor market, especially in sectors with labor shortages, these include:
- Occupations in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields
- Jobs in nursing and home health care
- Working in the farming, retail and hospitality sectors of the economy
- Immigrants bring fresh skills and perspectives, enhancing the flexibility and productivity of the workforce.
Cultural Diversity and Adaptability:
- Exposure to different languages, traditions, and perspectives fosters creativity and understanding for immigrants and native-born citizens alike.
- America’s historical openness to immigration has enriched its culture and enhanced its influence globally.
Demographic Contributions:
- Immigrants help offset the aging population by contributing to a younger workforce.
- This demographic balance supports social security systems and economic stability.
Positive Public Perception:
- A majority of Americans believe that immigrants strengthen the country due to their hard work and talents.
- Immigrants are significantly less likely to be incarcerated for crimes in the U.S. as compared to native-born individuals.
In summary, immigrants contribute significantly to the dynamism, fiscal sustainability, and overall strength of the U.S. economy and society. Their hard work, resilience, and diverse backgrounds make America stronger and more vibrant.
Still not convinced that Immigration is a net positive to the United States, critical to our continued growth, workforce stability, and maintenance of our role as the world’s economic leader?
Then consider reviewing some of the following curated articles, which address important issues critical to understanding the impact of immigration within the United States including:
- Why people migrate to the U.S.; Why do People Immigrate? – The Different Causes of Immigration | Global Refuge (2021)
- The Outsize Role of Immigrants in US Innovation (2023)
- Historic migration patterns and border policies; Key findings about U.S. immigrants | Pew Research Center (2020)
- Law-Abiding Immigrants: The Incarceration Gap Between Immigrants and the US-born, 1870-2020 National Bureau of Economic Research (2023)
- How the existing legal system fails to meet the needs of America in the 21st century; Why Legal Immigration Is Nearly Impossible | Cato Institute (2023)
- What the true causes of mass migration are at our Southern Border; What can the data tell us about unauthorized immigration to the US? (usafacts.org) (2024)
- How Congress has failed to overhaul immigration and provide the executive branch with adequate tools and funding to address the problems at the border; Article: Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States (2024)
- How shutting down immigration entirely would be devastating to the United States; A surprising number of Americans believe these 6 false claims about immigrants. Here are the facts. – Poynter (2022)


