For the Immigrant, the American Dream is Alive and Well

Voters agree that our immigration system is broken.

The Big Picture

According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Independent Center, voters ranked immigration as the second most pressing issue behind jobs and the economy.

Gallup polling reflects a similar sentiment, with immigration occasionally ranking as the most critical issue for voters.

Despite its importance, recent polling shows that only 11% of voters believe our immigration system is working, while 82% think "we can do better." That means four out of five voters reject the status quo.

Zooming In

The Value of Immigrants in America

In a time of political division, one thing remains clear: immigrants contribute immensely to the American economy and society.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that:

• 77.5% of foreign-born men participated in the labor force last year, compared to 66.1% of native-born men.
• Women’s labor force participation rates between immigrants and native-born citizens were roughly equal.

When analyzing labor participation rates over time, immigrants are consistently more likely to be in the workforce than native-born citizens.

Immigrants Drive Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Immigrants do more than just participate in the workforce—they create jobs and drive economic growth.

• Immigrants start businesses at more than double the rate of native-born citizens.
• 0.7% of immigrants are entrepreneurs, compared to 0.3% of native-born citizens.
• The Cato Institute found that between 1990 and 2016:
  • Immigrants made up 16% of all U.S.-based inventors but produced 23% of all patents.
  • They generated 25% of aggregate economic value—50% greater than their share of the population.

The Optimism of First-Generation Immigrants

First-generation immigrants tend to have more faith in the American dream than their native-born counterparts. They are more likely to believe:

• The U.S. political system is functional.
• America is headed in the right direction.
• They are leaving the country better off for future generations.

America’s Immigration Problem

Despite the clear benefits of immigration, the U.S. is making it harder for immigrants to come here legally—at a time when we need them the most.

According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics figures:

• There are 8.2 million job openings in the U.S.
• Only 7.1 million people are actively looking for jobs.

America has faced a labor shortage since at least 2020, and restrictive immigration policies have only made the problem worse.

Independent Lens

Voters rarely agree as overwhelmingly as they do on immigration reform. Yet Washington continues to ignore common-sense solutions that would strengthen the economy while addressing voter concerns.

Arturo Castellanos Canales, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the National Immigration Forum, sums it up well: “America is uniquely positioned to demonstrate, once again, that immigrants are the solution, not the problem.”

Unfortunately, common-sense solutions—like allowing more legal immigration to address labor shortages—are rare in Washington, D.C. It’s our job to move beyond partisan gridlock and push for policies that actually reflect what Americans want.

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