Business and the Workforce
Immigrants not only bring diverse skills and perspectives to the U.S. workforce, they often fill employment gaps in crucial fields. We advocate for expanded work visas and related programs so our labor force can continue to benefit from immigrant workers and remain competitive in the global economy
Statement from NAE Executive Director on Senate’s Budget Resolution
Following Senate Democrats unveiling their budget framework, New American Economy issued the following statement: “Throughout the course of the pandemic, Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers have been a lifeline — caring for the sick, keeping our food supply chain in tact, and taking on… Read More
Lebanese Chef Starts Popular Restaurant and Hookah Lounge in Columbus
Tarek AlbastOwner, Mr. Hummus Grill Tarek Albast, the owner of Mr. Hummus Grill, began his career in the food industry as a teen chef in Lebanon. By age 15, he was serving as head chef and managing 22 people in a local restaurant. However, his 14-hour workdays netted… Read More
Argentinian Exchange Student Turned Communications Entrepreneur in Columbus
Natasha PongonisFounder, Nativa Natasha Pongonis came to the U.S. as an exchange student attending the Ohio State University. A native Argentinian, she envisioned a brief stay in Ohio and then a post-college life pursuing an architecture career in Europe. But fate had other plans. At OSU she fell… Read More
Nigerian Reporter Starts Publication to Highlight Immigrant Community in Columbus
Deba UwadiaeEditor-in-Chief, New Americans Magazine In 2010, Deba Uwadiae, his wife and three children were selected to receive visas through the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery, allowing them to move from their native Nigeria to Columbus, Ohio. Their transition wasn’t easy. In Nigeria, Deba had risen from political… Read More
First-Generation American Champions Opportunities in Columbus
Antoinette WilsonCEO, Triumph Communications As a first-generation American growing up in Toledo, Ohio, Antoinette Wilson watched her parents make a tangible difference in their community. Her father was a pediatric physician from the Philippines. Her mother was a pediatric nurse from Panama. Over three decades, the family helped over 30,000 patients at their practice. “Every time… Read More
New American Economy Statement on the Introduction of the Let Immigrants Kickstart Employment (LIKE) Act
Following Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) introduction of a new bill, New American Economy issued the following statement: “Immigrants are more likely to start a business than the rest of the population, making them essential job creators and a crucial piece of a successful U.S. economy,” said Executive Director… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on DACA Ruling
Following Judge Hanen’s ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, New American Econonmy issued the following statement: “Today’s ruling on the DACA case underscores the need for Congress to pass a DREAM Act now,” said Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of New American Economy. “Dreamers are part of… Read More
Costa Rican Immigrant Community Organizer Supports Vulnerable Communities in Mercer County
Laura MoraCommunity Organizer, Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund Laura Mora grew up in a poor Costa Rican farming community, where her father worked in the tobacco fields to support his 10 children. Today, she is a Community Organizer and Client Advocate who supports the vulnerable population… Read More
Taiwanese Immigrant Engineer Turned Mayor in West Windsor
Shing-Fu HsuehFormer Mayor of West Windsor Shing-Fu Hsueh (pronounced “Shay”) came to New Jersey from Taiwan in 1969 with $300 in his pocket and a heavy accent that required help from a speech therapist. Despite these challenges, he went on to become a successful environmental engineer, professor, and… Read More
Iranian Student Turned Healthcare CEO Helps Hundreds Fight COVID-19 in Mercer County
Al MaghazehePresident & CEO, Capital Health Al Maghazehe came to the United States as an international student in 1977, but when the Iranian Revolution broke out a year later, he realized he couldn’t safely return home. Raised in a tight-knit family, Maghazehe struggled with loneliness at first,… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
