Economic Impact
Immigrants are essential to the U.S. economy, filling roles from high-skilled tech sectors to agricultural labor and driving economic growth. They also contribute to the tax base and consumer spending. We champion reform that will maximize this effect and create a more diverse and competitive workforce.
Undocumented Immigrants Pay Billions in State and Local Taxes
Undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy in many ways. They fill essential jobs, they sustain U.S. businesses through their purchase of goods and services, and—contrary to popular misconceptions—they pay taxes to federal, state, and local governments. Their contributions would be even greater if they had a chance to… Read More
Does Pushing Undocumented Immigrants out of a State Help or Hurt the Local Economy?
As a recent Wall Street Journal article describes, Moody’s Analytics has concluded that the mass departures of unauthorized immigrants from Arizona “reduced competition for low-skilled jobs” and “was a boon for some native-born construction and agricultural workers who got jobs or raises.” However they also report it shaved roughly… Read More
How Welcoming Immigrants Gave Chicago, Dayton, and Nashville a Boost
Three geographically diverse cities have created more welcoming environments for immigrants and each has implemented initiatives that promote immigrant entrepreneurship and innovation in their communities, to the benefit of all residents. Their efforts are detailed in the report “Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Welcoming Cities: Lessons from Chicago, Dayton, and… Read More
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Welcoming Cities
Understanding what works, and sharing knowledge about effective initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship, will become increasingly important as immigrant entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers become more crucial to local economies across the United States. Read More
America Offered Them Protection and They Became Part of America
In 2015, displaced people around the world faced incredible challenges. The well-being of refugees and the policy decisions affecting them are still at the forefront of many people’s minds. Some communities have held local rallies to demonstrate their support, while others have taken to social media to defend refugees… Read More
Giving the Facts a Fighting Chance: Addressing Common Questions on Immigration
Americans pride themselves on belonging to a nation of immigrants. In fact, many Americans celebrate not only the traditions of the United States, but the traditions of the countries from which their families came. Today, immigrants make enormous contributions to our economy and our communities—just as they always have. Yet… Read More
Recognizing the Vital Contributions Foreign Born Veterans Make to the U.S. Military
Immigrants bring tremendous skills, talents, and energy to our country – including to our military forces. It’s important to recognize the essential impact immigrant veterans, standing shoulder to shoulder with native-born soldiers, have made and will continue to make within the ranks of the U.S. military. Here’s how the U.S. military is… Read More
Immigrants Integrating As Well, If Not Better, Than Previous Generations, Report Finds
If you have been paying even a little attention to the Presidential debates, you might have picked up on the theme cast by some that there is something terribly wrong with today’s immigrants. That somehow they are not assimilating into U.S. society as well as the waves of immigrants who… Read More
Citizenship Day to Be Celebrated Around the Country
September 17 marks Citizenship and Constitution Day, a combined event that commemorates the anniversary of the United States’ constitution and recognizes all those who are or have become U.S. citizens. The day is marked by ceremonies and celebrations around the country, including over 50 naturalization ceremonies throughout September, that… Read More
Welcoming Week Honors Immigrant Contributions and Builds Bridges in Local Communities
The heated political rhetoric so far in the 2016 presidential campaign has often been at the expense of immigrants. And the policy solutions put forth by some candidates have centered around punitive, impractical measures that are out of touch with the humane approach most Americans want to see… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.