EIG CONTACT: Amelia Sandhovel | [email protected]
Washington, D.C. — The Economic Innovation Group (EIG) applauds the U.S. Conference of Mayors for adopting a bipartisan resolution again calling on federal policymakers to reinvigorate local economies across the country by welcoming more skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants.
Introduced by Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and co-sponsored by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Mesa Mayor John Giles, South Bend Mayor James Mueller, and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, the resolution endorses a “Heartland Visa,” a proposal that would welcome more skilled immigrants to communities whose local economies and workforces are in need of a boost.
“Skilled immigrants play a vital role in fueling American dynamism,” said EIG President and CEO John Lettieri. “EIG applauds the U.S. Conference of Mayors for recognizing the transformative potential of ensuring that the benefits of skilled immigration extend to places that have largely been left behind by current federal policy.”
“Immigrants have long been a key part of the fabric of Akron’s economy, but federal immigration policy is falling short when it comes to communities like ours,” said Mayor Horrigan. “Mayors are united in their desire for Congress to do more to help attract talented and entrepreneurial immigrants to welcoming communities across the country like Akron, where they strengthen our local economy and help to generate opportunity for our residents.”
Immigrants to the U.S. are highly entrepreneurial, and are responsible for founding one-quarter of all new businesses in the U.S. in a given year. Skilled immigrants are also net job creators, generating millions of new job opportunities for American workers. However, the economic benefits of immigration are geographically concentrated, with 36 percent of all U.S. immigrants with at least a bachelor’s degree residing within just 20 counties.
An EIG national voter survey found overwhelming bipartisan support for increasing skilled immigration; an even greater share (75%) support welcoming more skilled immigrants specifically to start new companies in the United States.
To learn more about the role of skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants for boosting American communities, visit eig.org/immigration-is-innovation.
About the Economic Innovation Group (EIG)
The Economic Innovation Group (EIG) is a bipartisan public policy organization dedicated to forging a more dynamic and inclusive American economy. Headquartered in Washington, DC, EIG produces nationally-recognized research and works with policymakers to develop ideas that empower workers, entrepreneurs, and communities.
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