Immigrants have always played a vital role in fueling our entrepreneurial economic engine. Given our need for help in revving up that engine right now, I wish we would take another look at our immigration policy.
The primary reason that we see so many immigrants pursue entrepreneurship is that they are opportunity focused – surveys reveal that this is what drives many of them to leave for new a new country. I have to wonder how attractive the US will look in a few years after our mad dash to socialism is fully in force.
When we look within specific ethnic communities in the US, recent immigrants out perform non-immigrants in economic achievements and have higher rates of self-employment than native-born in these ethnic communities.
In Internet-based ventures, immigrant entrepreneurs pursue more aggressive strategy. One study found that 25.4% of engineering and technology companies include at least one founder who was born outside of the US.
Here are a few more quick facts:
- Immigrants represent 12.5 of all business owners.
- Immigrants are 30 percent more likely to start a business than non-immigrants are.
- Immigrant business owners are concentrated in certain states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Hawaii.
- Mexicans represent the largest number of immigrant business owners, while Greeks, Koreans, and Iranians have the highest ownership rates
I have written in the past that our immigration process is too complex and outdated. It is yet another example of public policy, social activism, and bureaucracy run amuck. Immigrants have always been a major force for innovation and entrepreneurial activity in the US. It is time to rethink how we manage this process.
Immigration Road Blog displays a flow chart of the current immigration process in the US. No wonder so many choose the route of illegal immigration. The process is a labyrinth that inhibits people from pursuing immigration through the legal channels.
I agree with many of your viewpoints. This nation is built on immigrants. Unless you are a Native American, most of our forefathers came to the U.S. from a different country. The importance of that sector of our population cannot be overstated, both historically and in the present day. However, that doesn’t change the fact that, until the current red tape to citizenship is gone, those entering this country illegally are breaking the law. Do our immigration laws need to change? Yes, without doubt. But until the laws do change, that doesn’t give immigrants the right to enter our country to take a portion of our jobs while not paying taxes. HOWEVER, what saddens me the most is that more Americans aren’t taking the chance to create new and exciting ventures that will hopefully create jobs for the future American workforce. As a young boy, I was always taught that “Americans are the hardest working and most innovative people on the planet.” However, over recent years (and with a growing, Socialistic government that most Americans seem to be happy about), I have to question that belief. WE should be 30% more likely to start a business rather than immigrants. Come on, people!!! You want REAL change…..it starts with you! Do something about it.