The Immigration Law Link

“Immigrants confirm America’s status as the one great global power not just in its trade and influence but in its people and culture.”

Joel Kotkin, Forbes

What has been lost in whatever discussion there has been nationally on the issue of immigration reform is the how immigration policy is key to economic growth. Anytime there is a debate, the only focus seems to be on keeping aliens out of the country and building more concrete walls and the need for more enforcement and electronic ‘eyes’ on our borders. It’s like discussion about rational and balanced immigration policy comes down to what we’ve seen states like Arizonia do when they decide to take national policy into their own hands.

What gets lost in all the hysteria and rhetoric is the fact that importing highly educated and highly skilled immigrants who can convert that energy into economic value is critical for our future success.

I like and heartily second Kotkins voice on this:

“Only immigration can provide the labor force, the expanding domestic markets and, perhaps most important, the youthful energy to keep our society vital and growing. Many bustling sections of American cities–the revived communities along the number 7 train line in Queens, N.Y., Houston’s Harwin Corridor, Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Valley–are dominated by immigrant enterprise. In contrast, the cities without large-scale immigration, such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, have stagnant and even declining populations.

In the future successful immigration will distinguish America from most key competitors. Globally, resistance to immigration or any form of linguistic, religious or ethnic diversity has become more commonplace. Over the past few decades Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, Indonesia and the nations of the former East Bloc have constricted their concept of national identity. In Malaysia, East Africa and even the province of Quebec preferential policies have led successful minorities such as Jews, Armenians, Coptic Christians Indians and Chinese to find homes in more welcoming places, often in the U.S.”

One way to insure our economy is vibrant, growing, and long-lasting is to be sure we encourage those from around the globe who want to be part of the American Dream.