Study: Immigrants Out-Innovate Native-Born Americans
25% of all workers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields are immigrants, say a group of economists in a new study, The Contribution of High-Skilled Immigrants to Innovation in the United States. Through their research, the authors were able to determine that immigrants are responsible for roughly 36% of innovation in America. According to co-author Chris Farrell,
“16% of U.S.-based inventors, between 1990 and 2016, were immigrants who came to the U.S. when they were 20 years or older. Yet these immigrant inventors have produced roughly 23% of all innovations, and that’s measured by number of patents, patent citations, and the economic value of these patents.”
Why Are Immigrants Innovators?
The study authors write that the immigrants
“appear to facilitate the importation of foreign knowledge into the United States, with immigrant inventors relying more heavily on foreign technologies and collaborating more with foreign inventors.”
They also speculate there is something different about the immigrant’s character, intelligence or motivation; or that they live, work and think differently when they come here, which makes them more productive.
Wasted Opportunity
In our Land Of Opportunity, in a January 10 newsletter, NPR speculated that many H-1B holders who have been laid off – or might be laid off – are a wasted opportunity for the United States because these talented, skilled foreign workers are
“a group of innovators who help us build new businesses, create jobs, make our companies more productive, and produce products and ideas that enrich our lives and improve our standard of living. Call it the Great Enhancement Theory.”
Contact A Cook and DuPage Immigration Attorney Today
Mario Godoy and the experienced immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office can assess your immigration application status. We have experience in many different types of immigration cases and understand the impact of new and changing immigration regulations. It can be beneficial for you to contact an immigration lawyer today. Please call 630-912-0322 or reach out to us online today to schedule your initial consultation.