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
How a Former Undocumented Immigrant Started a $3 Million Business That Created 80 Jobs
Jorge Fierro was making himself a burrito after his dishwashing shift when he got the idea for the business that would eventually become Rico Brands, a $3 million food business and employer of 80. “I opened a can of refried beans,” Fierro says, “and I just couldn’t believe how bad… Read More
President/CEO of Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Calls Immigration Reform “Critical” to Local Economy
Since he joined the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2013 as President and CEO, Mark Madrid has seen the city’s Hispanic community have a tremendous economic impact. But he’s also witnessed a lot of lost opportunities. “Austin is an academic hub,” he says. “But the limited supply of… Read More
Director of Startup Accelerator Turns to Immigrant Entrepreneurs to Boost St. Louis Economy
“I wish more people had experience working with immigrant entrepreneurs,” says Ginger Imster. “Once you’ve witnessed their talent and passion, there is simply no doubt they’re a positive addition to our communities.” Imster knows this well. She is the executive director of Arch Grants, a nonprofit organization that provides $50,000… Read More
Immigrants Open Businesses and Create Jobs Says Dallas Bank Manager
Juan Carlos “JC” Gonzalez never questions the economic benefit of welcoming immigrants into the United States. A first-generation American, Gonzalez is a vice president and branch manager of a Wells Fargo in Dallas and serves on the board of directors of the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Read More
Houston Has This Immigrant CEO to Thank for Clean Streets
Maria Rios describes herself as “the ultimate example of the impact of immigrants in the United States.” The founder and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc., a waste removal company based in Texas, Rios emigrated from El Salvador with her family when she was 13. “When I arrived to the United… Read More
Nepali Refugee Doesn’t Let Job, Business or Family Stand in Way of Volunteering: ‘We Want To Give Back’
When Jay Subedi arrived in Syracuse, New York, with his parents, wife, and baby daughter in November 2008, it was one of the coldest, snowiest seasons in recent memory. The city wasn’t just blisteringly cold, but, like the rest of the country, mired in a recession. Subedi, a native of… Read More
Indiana’s Primary: Immigrants in the Hoosier State
The 2016 primaries are rapidly nearing a close, and today the votes are being held in Indiana. There are 57 Republican delegates and 83 Democratic delegates to be awarded, and they can be critical wins for any candidate to secure nomination. Indiana’s immigrant population growth was relatively slow… Read More
What You Need to Know About the Temporary Worker Bill Introduced by Senator Flake
Last week, Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) introduced the Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act of 2016, which would establish a 10-year guest worker pilot program. According to Flake, the bill offers new thinking on how to bridge the gap between existing temporary worker programs for seasonal workers and… Read More
As Immigration Process Crawls, Many Bright Workers Leave the Country, Says Immigrant Tech Worker
Shri Balachandran, a technology specialist in Plano Texas, knows that America’s strength depends on its ability to recruit and retain international talent. “In technology, roughly two of every three people on the technical side and the senior business side of things are usually immigrants,” he says. “The trend is very… Read More
Business Owner With 45 Employees Began Career With No Work Permit, Sees Same Potential in Immigrants
Kevin Devine did not grow up in an affluent family. His father had an eighth-grade education, and Devine shared a bed with his three brothers until he was 11 years old. At age 14, he started working as a night janitor. On his first day, his employer asked… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
