LIBRE, AFP: Visa Suspensions are a Barrier to Economic Recovery

Jun 22, 2020 by AFP

Arlington, Va. – Today, the Administration announced the suspension of several categories of non-immigrant visas. Earlier this month The LIBRE Initiative and Americans for Prosperity sent a letter to the White House highlighting the potential economic consequence of suspending and further restricting legal immigration during this period of economic recovery.

Read the full letter here.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, and Jorge Lima, Senior Vice-President of Americans for Prosperity, released the following statement:

“It’s no secret that Americans are anxious about their economic future. But, as the country takes steps to safely reopen, it’s critical we embrace the value immigrants bring to this country and reverse course on these misguided suspensions.

“It’s important to remember that throughout our nation’s history – both during highs and lows – we have seen communities and U.S. businesses, both small and large, experience unparalleled growth and success through the hard work and innovation of non-immigrants and immigrants working together to build our nation and expand prosperity for all. These suspensions create unnecessary burdens and additional barriers for businesses and communities, while drastically limiting the long-term contributions, innovations, and ideas immigrants bring to our nation.

“To truly spur our recovery we do not need to suspend, further restrict, or impose additional barriers to our legal immigration system – we need to build a better one.”

Background: In a letter to the Administration we highlight the following points:

Research has shown that most of America’s economic gains after the 2008 financial collapse would have been largely eliminated if not for the shared contributions of U.S. citizens and immigrants seeking new opportunities.
And from 2006 to 2016, immigrants were responsible for nearly half of the U.S. labor force growth, a key component of economic growth.
Research has found that immigrants account for about a quarter of US invention and entrepreneurship, and since 1972 immigrants have accounted for about 25% of the patents in technology, medical research and development, electronics, and chemical technologies.
Meanwhile, companies who applied for new H-1B workers created new products and replaced outdated ones at a 17 percent higher rate than other firms.