As immigration attorneys, we at Saluja Law have long argued that the key to America's future prosperity lies not in shutting the door on immigrants—but in opening it wider to those ready to contribute. A new report from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity confirms what we've seen firsthand: immigrants are indispensable to the long-term health of the U.S. economy. With the border now reportedly secure, it's time for lawmakers to seize the moment and reform our legal immigration system to meet 21st-century needs.
Immigration Is the Growth Engine America Needs
According to the report, immigrants now comprise nearly 20% of the labor force, and since 2020, all net labor force growth has come from foreign-born workers. The numbers speak for themselves:
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Immigrants of working age are more likely to be employed than native-born Americans—65% versus 60%.
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Immigrants founded or co-founded nearly half of Fortune 500 companies.
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Three of the most influential CEOs in tech—Elon Musk (Tesla, X), Sundar Pichai (Alphabet), and Jensen Huang (NVIDIA)—are immigrants.
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From 1994 to 2023, the share of foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor force has nearly doubled, reflecting an urgent demand for international talent.
With birth rates declining and Baby Boomers retiring, the U.S. faces a demographic cliff. Without a steady stream of young, capable workers, our economy risks stagnation. If America wants to maintain global competitiveness and meet labor shortages across industries—from healthcare and agriculture to tech and construction—we must expand legal pathways.
A Smarter, Balanced Legal Immigration Strategy
The study recommends a three-pronged approach that we wholeheartedly support:
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Increase the overall annual immigration quota to reflect modern economic realities.
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Expand high-skill visa programs like the H-1B, especially in the science, tech, engineering, and medical fields.
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Support seasonal and investor visas, such as the H-2B for temporary labor and EB-5 for job-creating foreign investment.
This isn't about open borders. This is about controlled, merit-based expansion of legal immigration to fill critical gaps while respecting the rule of law.
Opportunity in the Aftermath of Enforcement
The Trump administration's enforcement-heavy approach has been successful in deterring unlawful entry, according to Moore and his co-authors. With border apprehensions reportedly down, the conversation must now shift to how we can modernize legal immigration—not as a political concession, but as an economic necessity.
Contrary to fear-driven narratives, legal immigrants do not displace native workers. In fact, they grow the pie for everyone. As the report notes, unemployment remains low even as immigration has risen—proving that immigrants are job creators and tax contributors, not job takers.
What Washington Must Do
President Trump and Congress now have a unique opportunity: pivot from enforcement to growth by championing a comprehensive immigration modernization bill. It's time to:
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Raise per-country green card caps.
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Eliminate outdated backlogs.
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Protect DACA recipients and Dreamers who are already American in every way but paperwork.
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Create streamlined pathways for STEM graduates from U.S. universities to stay and build here.
Conclusion: Let's Lead with Vision
America has always been at its best when we've welcomed the world's best and brightest. A secure border is not an endpoint—it's a starting point for a better immigration policy. We call on lawmakers to shift from reaction to reform, and from fear to foresight.
At Saluja Law, we remain committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complex immigration system. We believe in a future where America continues to grow because we are bold enough to welcome those ready to help build it.
—Saluja Law
Immigration Attorneys Who Understand What's at Stake