Immigration as a zero-sum game where immigrants are depicted as “enemies at the gate” was born generations ago out of the fear of the other. Fear is a powerful motivator – and a politically expedient one, at that – and has been used by extreme political interests throughout history. Indeed, today’s discourse pits immigrants against native-born residents, creating an “us vs. them” sentiment that has regained prominence in recent years.
And, despite this misguided sentiment, the reality is that immigrants are disproportionately powering our cities, businesses, and national economy.
A recent study from the Brookings Institution demonstrated that while immigrants represent about 15 percent of the general U.S. workforce, they account for around a quarter of entrepreneurs and a quarter of investors in the U.S. In addition, over one third of new firms started in the United States have at least one immigrant in their initial leadership team.
That same Brookings study showed that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are acquiring jobs in the United States, but mostly the ones that Americans don’t want to do. Additionally, the impact of immigration on the wages of native-born workers is small, and mostly affects prior immigrants with a similar set of skills.
For the Greater Houston region, immigration is even more important to our collective future. Our region is home to close to 1.5 million immigrants. The immigrants in the region are attaining higher education levels than their native-born counterparts. The region’s Hispanic population in particular is contributing to the economy at higher levels than native-born residents. Immigrants in the region are working, they’re purchasing homes, they’re paying taxes, they’re sending their children to school.
In other words: immigrants are powering our demographic and economic growth and are helping lead the Greater Houston region, the State of Texas, and the United States into the future.
Dr. Laura G. Murillo is the president and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.