This week the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) released “American Made: The Impact of Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Professionals on U.S. Competitiveness,” a new study that reveals something that Silicon Valley netizens already know but scream for others to recognize: The immigration debate affects America’s economy in a big way.
When most Americans think of immigration, illegal workers from Mexico usually spring to mind. In Brad Pitt’s new movie “Babel,” for instance, the housekeeper who endangers his character’s kids is sent back to Mexico after being caught by border control. Adding fuel to the fire, various politicians have hired illegal workers. Not all immigrants are illegal or a burden, however.
Indeed, apparently unknown to Hollywood and many in the political fray, a bunch of hardworking immigrants have been creating huge numbers of jobs and wealth for the very Americans that want to keep them out.
Immigrant-founded, venture-backed public companies today employ an estimated 220,000 people in the United States and more than 400,000 people globally, according to American Made. That’s a lot of people — and a lot of future voters who wouldn’t be happy if they were unemployed.
The study also found that companies started by immigrants and initially backed by venture capital account for more than US$500 billion of total U.S. market capitalization. That’s a lot of hard work and capital going toward making American lives better. Consider the immigrant influence on some of the companies everyone already knows.
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