U.S. Chamber and Partnership for New American Economy Host Immigration and Competitiveness Event
Mayor Bloomberg and Donohue Highlight Their Commitment to
High-Skilled Immigration Reform
WASHINGTON D.C.—Leaders from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Partnership for a New American Economy came together today to highlight the need for sensible immigration reform for high-skilled workers that will to enhance the innovation and competitiveness of a cross-section of industries. Reform would include addressing skill gaps in the technology, health care, finance, and education sectors, which would help America retain its position as the center for global innovation, as well as meet shortages critical to our domestic needs.
“There is a misconception that welcoming high-skilled foreign nationals onto our shores will cost American jobs,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue, while speaking at today’s event at the Chamber’s headquarters. “In the global economy, investment follows talent, and companies and enterprises that can retain talent will flourish. We face a critical skills gap today, and we’ve got to fill it.”
More than 50% of Master’s and Ph.D.-level graduates from U.S. institutions who have studied science, technology, engineering, and math fields are foreign nationals. Those graduates, among others, have the skills that businesses need and should be a part of the revitalization of America.
“As the two parties are locked in a stand-off over how to create jobs, immigration reform based on our nation’s economic needs offers a unique opportunity to them both,” said Partnership for a New American Economy Co-Chair and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “It does not require either party to walk away from its position on taxes or spending. Instead, the two parties could produce legislation that is consistent with their political principles, that reflects sound economics, that would put thousands of Americans back to work and that will be popular with voters back home.”
“In today’s global marketplace, we cannot afford to keep turning away those with the skills our country needs to grow and succeed,” continued Bloomberg. “It’s sabotaging our own economy. That’s why we should dramatically expand the numbers of green cards available for the best of the best – the highest-skilled workers we need to join the U.S. economy permanently. These high-skill workers will not only help create thousands of jobs, they’ll also give us knowledge of foreign markets that will help U.S. businesses increase their exports.”
During the event, a panel of leading American businesses, universities, and economists outlined major immigration challenges and the impact that immigration reform will have on America’s ability to remain competitive in the global marketplace. According to the panelists, high skilled immigrants, especially those earning high level degrees from U.S. universities, have the skills to fill open positions and the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to innovate here for American companies, start-up new businesses, and expand employment opportunities for American workers.
U.S. immigration policy should allow American businesses to recruit and bring in top international talent. In particular, those who receive graduate level degrees in the United States and who are acclimated to our business culture, should be encouraged to remain in the country after graduation to start businesses and create economic growth rather than go home or to other countries courting the highly skilled and entrepreneurial.
For over a decade, the U.S. Chamber has been making the business case for sensible immigration reform. The Chamber and the Partnership will work together to continue to advocate for necessary reforms to our immigration system—starting with high-skilled talent, which is critical to U.S. competitiveness and will help create American jobs.
Other speakers at today’s event included: Alejandro Mayorkas from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Elizabeth C. Dickson from Ingersoll Rand Company; Stephen Fleming from Georgia Institute of Technology; Pia Orrenius, Ph.D from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Robin Paulino from Microsoft; and Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa from Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.