The Quote Below—More Misinformation from the Media
“President Trump’s four-year crusade against immigration has pushed the number of foreign workers and other immigrants arriving on American shores down to the lowest level in decades.
“That’s pleased Trump’s supporters, but it will almost certainly cost the nation dearly in the future, with slower job growth, fewer start-ups and a weaker overall economy, economists, business leaders and immigration analysts say.
“Among the most damaging of Trump’s anti-immigration efforts, according to experts, is his renewed push to deny visas to foreign workers with special skills and expertise that U.S. companies need.
“Two rules issued recently, one by the Labor Department and the other by the Department of Homeland Security, are expected to make it significantly harder for tech firms to bring on workers from abroad under the so-called H-1B visa program. . . .
“With the U.S.-born population aging and the birth rate at historic lows, experts say that’s a problem. Immigrants have helped invigorate the labor force, which is a key component of economic growth.
“Studies have shown that immigrants tend to start new companies at higher rates than natives, and can help boost productivity with new ideas and fresh capital. . . .” – Trump Immigration Restrictions Expected to impact Economy Long After He Leaves White House, Don Lee & Molly O’Toole, The Seattle News, 10/12/20 [Link]
Fact Check of Quote Above: This article is one more example of journalists serving the self-serving agendas of tech interests. This propaganda line basically claims that there aren’t enough qualified Americans to fill available jobs in tech fields. Therefore tech companies must import highly skilled foreign workers.
The reality is that the U.S. has plenty of skilled workers in tech and related occupations. Almost three-quarters of U.S. college graduates with degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) have jobs in other fields. Companies prefer not to hire them because they can get away with paying the visa holders lower wages and placing more demands on them. H-1B workers are generally not the best and brightest; most are just average.
Many American workers have been replaced by foreign visa holders. They have many sad stories to tell about their treatment by tech companies.
The claim that immigrants “start more businesses” does not prove that they are a net economic asset. Even if this is true, starting a business is no particular achievement. The real accomplishment, which contributes to society, is staying in business. About 80 percent of new businesses fail within the first eighteen months. Perhaps a better measure for success in business is the number of people counted as self-employed by the Census Bureau. The percentage of self-employed natives and immigrants is about the same.
Despite the pro-immigration propaganda, Americans can provide the entrepreneurs and workers we need to prosper.