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
Founder of $1 Million Startup Forced to Scrap Business Due to U.S. Immigration Policy
Indian-born immigrant Ketaki Desai has made important contributions in her adopted home in America. As executive director of eCenter@LindenPointe, a business incubator in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, she has helped create more than 45 jobs and coached 50 startups, all while maintaining a $300,000 annual budget. She says the incubator’s largest contribution… Read More
Republican Congressional Candidate from Tennessee Wants to See Immigration Reform—Not a Wall
Hunter Baker, an associate professor of political science at Tennessee’s Union University, is concerned about the future of the American economy, specifically as it relates to immigration. As one of 13 Republican candidates who competed to replace Congressman Stephen Fincher in Tennessee’s 8th district, he sees that “People are buying… Read More
A Consultant to Fortune 500 Companies Says Restrictive Immigration Policy Keeps Her From Referring Top Talent
As a consultant who helps businesses solve staffing problems, Letty Velez has worked with several Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, Macy’s, and Hyatt Hotels. But she’s frustrated: When those companies need to hire personnel, she can’t recommend the most talented people she knows. “I’m meeting incredible people, but I can’t… Read More
Entrepreneur says Immigration Policy Makes It Harder for him to Grow His Business and Create American Jobs
The technology firm FreshAir Sensor recently won a New Hampshire pitch competition sponsored by AOL founder Steve Case that netted the small startup a $100,000 investment and a glowing compliment from the venture capitalist. “If they innovate successfully, they can build a great company, create a… Read More
Belgian Entrepreneur’s Innovation Tracks Vital Health Stats; Company Creates American Jobs
From a young age in Belgium, Pierre-Jean Cobut felt inspired by America’s rags-to-riches stories and was sure he belonged in Silicon Valley. In Europe, he says, “There’s not the same culture of risk taking.” Two years of undergraduate study in the United States confirmed his infatuation, and Cobut got the… Read More
Immigration System Says ‘No’ to Developer Eager to Work at His Own Startup
At the University of Pittsburgh, a small team of software developers has created a clinical data sharing technology that is changing the way researchers access data across institutions. The platform will encourage partnerships across the globe and, in turn, potentially reduce the time it takes to cure many forms of… Read More
Report on New Americans in San José & Santa Clara County Highlights Economic Contributions of Immigrants
CONTACTS Sarah Doolin, New American Economy, Sarah@renewoureconomy.org Zulma Maciel, Strategic Partnerships and Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of San José, Zulma.Maciel@sanjoseca.gov; (408) 535-8146 Silicon Valley Business Roundtable discusses local immigrant integration; new report shows foreign-born households… Read More
With Co-Founders in Visa Limbo, Entrepreneur Misha Esipov May Have to Move Their Startup Abroad
Imagine moving to a new country for an exciting new job. But there’s a snag: Since you have no credit history, you cannot lease a car, get a loan, or even rent an apartment. Financial tech entrepreneur Misha Esipov, 28, wants to solve the international credit problem. Read More
Immigrant Restauranteur Creates 250 American Jobs, Says Each One ‘Makes Me So Happy’
After the launch of his first restaurant — Frida Mexican Cuisine, in Beverly Hills, California — Vicente del Rio went on to open nine more Frida restaurants. Del Rio’s expansion efforts are ongoing, with another two restaurants slated to open this year. Today, his Frimex Hospitality Group currently employs more… Read More
This Entrepreneur Wants the U.S. Immigration System to Better Reward Hard Work
Jennifer Lucio Vargas has entrepreneurship in her blood. The founder and CEO of Miami’s 305 Communications and Events was born to immigrant parents from Cuba, and her father worked tirelessly to put himself through Harvard undergraduate and law school. “He worked cleaning toilets while he was in school,” she says. Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
