America is regarded as a common destination for immigrants. The common belief that immigrants drain the American economy and take up job opportunities meant for Americans can’t be any further from the truth. Throughout the history of the United States, immigrants from around the world have kept businesses afloat and booming, the workforce vibrant and contributed significantly to the building of one of the greatest economic engines in the globe (MacKenzie 10). Both documented and undocumented immigrants, therefore, have the capacity to revitalize the economy. Based on an Economic Report published in 2013, immigrants promote innovation and creativity both directly and indirectly. They have over the years contributed to several business startups in the United States, and to the large labor force in the country. Immigrants also establish patents twice as much as the rate of native-born citizens and are therefore more represented in engineering and scientific occupations.
Evidence reveals that immigrants are highly entrepreneurial. Based on recent studies immigrants are creating businesses and in so doing revitalizing the United States Workforce. Studies done between 2006 and 2012 revealed that more than two-fifths of start-up businesses in Silicon Valley were founded by at least one immigrant (Economic Report of the President). Research by the Partnership for A New American Economy, an organization that advocates for more immigrants in the U.S workforce found that by 2011, immigrants accounted for approximately 28% of startup businesses (Economic Report of the President). Highly educated and highly skilled immigrants have built successful business ventures and even created jobs for native-born Americans (Peri and Sparber 401). Additionally, several international companies have invested, relocated and expanded into the United States, increasing employment opportunities for the Native Americans and contributing heavily to economic growth. Entrepreneurial immigrants reveal a culture of innovation and hard work amongst the immigrant population which is useful in the revitalization of the American Economy.
In Nashville, the number of immigrants has more than doubled since 2000. The immigrants are attracted to Nashville's booming economy which is amongst the fastest growing in the country. Notably, immigrants do not only intend to benefit from the booming economy but also contribute to it. Research by the Partnership for a New American Economy reveals that immigrants are more likely to start up a business as compared to native American citizens (Enchautegui 109). They also contribute significantly to the success of local industries such as construction and healthcare industries (Nahm and Tani 611).
One third of internationally valid patents issued to the United States residents are held by immigrants. This reveals a culture of creativity and innovativeness which is a major boost to the United States economic productivity. Unlike the belief by a section of the U.S Population That Immigrants contribute negatively to job growth, research by Cato Institutes revealed that immigrants do not have any notable impact on the net job growth for the United States born workers (Enchautegui 113). This is mainly because, native-born and immigrant workers gravitate towards different jobs.