President Trump has signed a presidential proclamation, which for 60-days will halt the issuance of green cards to certain categories of applicants who are currently outside the U.S. The tweet that proceeded it was far more sensational, and while the proclamation sounds severe, it has limited impact given the existing closure of immigrations services at U.S. embassies and consulates due to COVID-19.
The real impact of President Trump's tweet and subsequent proclamation is to further damage America's global reputation and dissuade immigrants from wanting to come to the U.S. at a time when immigrants are critical to help our country recover and return to its trajectory of economic growth. This short-sighted move will inflict lasting damage to America's economic growth and innovation.
Unfortunately, tens of millions of Americans are unemployed and countless more are projected to lose their jobs. However, the majority of these job losses are due to the sudden closure of a huge segment of the country's hospitality and services industries. The notion that preventing further immigration will help the millions of displaced workers misses that many immigrants live and work in cities and industries where America has struggled to fill talent openings.
Even before the pandemic, immigrants accounted for more than a quarter of U.S. patents and startups, with broad impacts throughout the tech sector. If this is the least bit surprising to you, check out Harvard Professor Bill Kerr's excellent book, The Gift of Global Talent.
Now, immigrants are crucial to healing the nation. They are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. In some of the hardest hit metro areas, such as New York City, immigrants make up 42% of all healthcare workers, according to data from the New American Economy (NAE). Immigrants are also working around the clock producing much-needed personal protective equipment, COVID-19 tests and are leading the charge in creating a vaccine. According to the Cato Institute, 2,582 immigrants on H-1Bs or green cards are working at the companies developing coronavirus cures.
Companies that Americans so heavily rely on during the pandemic – Amazon, Instacart and Zoom – were founded by first- or second-generation immigrants. Today, these companies have created millions of jobs for Americans and have become essential services for most Americans to live and work during shelter in place. Further restricting access into the U.S. may prevent the next big innovation from happening in America. Further damaging the image of America that potential migrants hold through nasty political rhetoric can be equally devastating.
The president speaks frequently about a swift recovery for the country and economy. For that to happen, we need immigrants and their vital contributions.
Originally published by LinkedIn, May 4, 2020
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