Trump’s Immigration Strategy is an Economic Winner for America

As someone who’s spent over three decades building businesses – leading to overseeing a leading private equity firm – I view U.S. immigration policy through a bottom-line lens.  Today, one thing is clear: President Trump’s balanced approach to immigration is paying dividends for America’s economy. By cracking down on illegal immigration and championing legal pathways for the best and the brightest, the Trump administration is strengthening the rule of law and fueling our nation’s growth.   

Securing the Border While Embracing Talent  

First, the security piece: President Trump ran on restoring control at the southern border, and he has delivered. Illegal crossings have plummeted to record lows. This successful enforcement matters for businesses. A country that controls its borders can confidently keep them open to lawful commerce and talent.   

Cracking down on illegal immigration goes hand-in-hand with welcoming qualified legal immigrants to power our growth. President Trump’s America First agenda has never meant America alone – it means setting the terms so that immigration serves our national interest, bringing the world’s best and brightest to our shores where we can reap the benefits of their skills, talent and, yes, wealth.  

We see this in efforts to expand opportunities for those who can meaningfully contribute. For example, a recent Trump proposal is a new “Gold Card” to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals. As President Trump explained, it “will allow the most successful job creating people from all over the world to buy a path to U.S. citizenship.” It’s a pro-business magnet for capital and talent.   

Immigrants Fuel Entrepreneurship and Job Creation 

Perhaps nowhere is the benefit of smart immigration policy clearer than in the realm of business creation and innovation.  Nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies – roughly 45% – were founded by an immigrant or the child of immigrants. On top of that, 50% of all Silicon Valley startups are founded by immigrants.  

Think about that: the enterprises at the pinnacle of American industry owe much of their genesis to the dynamism of smart, ambitious, hardworking newcomers and their families who committed themselves to contributing to America’s economy, not siphoning off of it or looking for a handout. 

Fostering America’s Competitive Edge  

At a time of fierce global competition, doubling down on specific facets of immigration policy is an economic imperative. President Trump’s approach gives the U.S. the best of both worlds: it protects our borders and upholds the rule of law while leveraging one of America’s greatest advantages – our magnetic appeal to the world’s top talent. President Trump’s policies are demonstrating that we can enforce our laws and still open our front door wide to those who will help build America. When the American people see that the system is orderly and benefits them, they welcome newcomers with open arms.  

President Trump knows building this competitive edge is not only about bringing new talent in, but also extending opportunities for talent already in the United States. Thousands and thousands of foreign countries send their best and brightest to American universities each year, and President Trump knows that providing pathways for them to continue contributing after graduation is key. He’s even said that students should “automatically” get a green card upon graduation, allowing them to stay in the US.  

If we want to allow new entrepreneurship, vibrant innovation, and continued American competitiveness to flourish, President Trump’s plans need to be embraced.  

The American Dream in Action  

My mother was one of eight children in Cuba. As communism gripped the island, she made the brave choice to come to the United States at just 18 years old, alone, with a few dollars in her pocket and not much else. Over the years, she raised a family that became thoroughly American. Her journey is our story. It’s the classic American Dream.  

That personal history, with my father’s story not much different as he fled war-torn France, shapes my conviction that smart immigration is good policy and good for business. It’s part of the reason I’m supporting the brightest minds in developing strong immigration policy through the JP Conte Initiative on Immigration at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.  

Going Forward  

The current administration’s pro-business measures – including new ideas like the Gold Card – recognize that economic strength and human capital go together. You’ll often hear President Trump say his goal is to put “America First.” It’s about recruiting the best team for Team USA. You secure the field (the border), then bring in star players (immigrants with means, drive, and skills) to win the game.  

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