Use immigration to spur economic growth: Opinion

Immigrants and immigrant owned businesses are a large percentage of New Jersey and many of our states. They are needed for our economy to improve.   - - Donna Poisl

By Lawrence E. McCullough,  Star-Ledger Guest Columnist

Immigration — legal and illegal — affects every aspect of life in every corner of the United States. It is imperative for national security and economic development that we make it work to our advantage.

The United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than the rest of the world combined. According to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data, there are a little less than 40 million foreign-born residents in the United States, accounting for 12.5 percent of the total U.S. population and 16 percent of the labor force.

In New Jersey, immigrants make up 28 percent of the state’s workforce — including 40 percent of our scientists and engineers with higher degrees. A 2009 Governor’s Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy found that one-fifth of New Jersey businesses are owned by immigrant entrepreneurs, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the state’s gross earnings.
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