BUILDING AMERICA’S FUTURE TOGETHER: IMMIGRATION REFORMS By Reuben S. Seguritan 450 7th Avenue, Suite 1400 New York, NY 10123 212-695-5281 .

BUILDING AMERICA’S BUILDING AMERICA’S FUTURE TOGETHER: FUTURE TOGETHER:

IMMIGRATION REFORMSIMMIGRATION REFORMS

By Reuben S. SeguritanBy Reuben S. Seguritan450 7th Avenue, Suite 1400

New York, NY 10123212-695-5281

www.seguritan.com44thth Annual NaFFAA Eastern Regional Biennial Conference Annual NaFFAA Eastern Regional Biennial Conference

Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, ConnecticutNovember 3, 2007November 3, 2007

Nation of ImmigrantsNation of ImmigrantsI. Immigration has fueled the I. Immigration has fueled the

population growth of America population growth of America since colonial days.since colonial days.

A. 1790 census recorded 2.4 million A. 1790 census recorded 2.4 million Europeans and 700,000 Africans. Europeans and 700,000 Africans.

B. Volume of immigration from 1820 to B. Volume of immigration from 1820 to 2006 2006 (USCIS Statistics Yearbook):(USCIS Statistics Yearbook):

• 19,123,606 from 1820 to 190019,123,606 from 1820 to 1900• 46,965,835 from 1901 to 200046,965,835 from 1901 to 2000• 6,168,320 from 2001 to 20066,168,320 from 2001 to 2006

C. Asian immigration from 1820 to 2006 C. Asian immigration from 1820 to 2006 totaled 11,568,965 totaled 11,568,965

D. Top 3 countries for 2006 were:D. Top 3 countries for 2006 were:• Mexico - 173,753Mexico - 173,753• China - 87,345China - 87,345• Philippines - 74,607Philippines - 74,607

II. II. Immigrants came to America Immigrants came to America for economic reasons or to for economic reasons or to escape from religious escape from religious persecution and political persecution and political

turmoil.turmoil.

Building AmericaBuilding AmericaI. I. Immigrants provided cheap Immigrants provided cheap

labor to build its infrastructure labor to build its infrastructure and develop agriculture.and develop agriculture.

A. Chinese, starting in 1850s, built the A. Chinese, starting in 1850s, built the western segment of western segment of

transcontinental transcontinental railroad.railroad.B. Japanese arrived in 1890s to work B. Japanese arrived in 1890s to work

in the farms. in the farms.C. Filipinos came in early 1900s to C. Filipinos came in early 1900s to

work in Hawaiian plantations, work in Hawaiian plantations, California farms and California farms and

Alaskan Alaskan canneries. canneries.

II.II. Immigrants hastened growth Immigrants hastened growth of America’s big cities.of America’s big cities.

A. In early 1900s, population was A. In early 1900s, population was concentrated in the small concentrated in the small

towns.towns.

B. Immigrants settled in big cities B. Immigrants settled in big cities and comprised 3/4 of their total and comprised 3/4 of their total population. population.

C. Immigrants worked in factories C. Immigrants worked in factories and spurred industrialization. and spurred industrialization.

III. Immigrants provided much III. Immigrants provided much needed professional services needed professional services starting in 1965.starting in 1965.

A.A.Filipino and Indian doctors and nurses Filipino and Indian doctors and nurses provided health servicesprovided health services..

• Filipino physicians now numbering over Filipino physicians now numbering over 20,000 is second to Indians among foreign 20,000 is second to Indians among foreign trained. trained. (American Medical Association)(American Medical Association)

• Filipino nurses are largest among foreign-Filipino nurses are largest among foreign-educated, 75% in 1980s and 43% in 2000.educated, 75% in 1980s and 43% in 2000.

• Filipino dentists comprise 11% of foreign-Filipino dentists comprise 11% of foreign-trained and second in number. trained and second in number.

B. When the national origin quota B. When the national origin quota system was abolished in 1965, system was abolished in 1965,

other professionals such as other professionals such as teachers, teachers, accountants and engineers accountants and engineers

immigrated to work in schools, immigrated to work in schools, businesses and manufacturing businesses and manufacturing

plants.plants.

III.III. Aside from their services, Aside from their services, immigrants brought with them immigrants brought with them their culture, religion, political their culture, religion, political traditions and moral values.traditions and moral values.

Keeping America’s Keeping America’s Competitive EdgeCompetitive Edge

I.I. Over the last 15 years, Over the last 15 years, immigrants founded 25% of immigrants founded 25% of US public companies with US public companies with market capitalization of over market capitalization of over $500 billion and 47% of private $500 billion and 47% of private companies. companies. (National Venture Capital Corporation)(National Venture Capital Corporation)

A. These include Intel, Google, A. These include Intel, Google, Yahoo, Sun Microsystems and Yahoo, Sun Microsystems and

Ebay. Ebay.

B.B. Asian-owned businesses employ over Asian-owned businesses employ over 2.2 million and earn over $326 billion.2.2 million and earn over $326 billion.

• Over 125,000 businesses are Filipino-owned Over 125,000 businesses are Filipino-owned and employ 132,000 with revenues of $14.2 and employ 132,000 with revenues of $14.2 billion. billion. (2002 U.S. Economic Census)(2002 U.S. Economic Census)

C.C. Over 1.6 million Hispanic businesses Over 1.6 million Hispanic businesses generate income of $222 billion. generate income of $222 billion. (U.S. Census Bureau)(U.S. Census Bureau)

II. II. Immigrants have played a Immigrants have played a critical role in America’s critical role in America’s technological advancement.technological advancement.

A.A. They account for 21% of computer and They account for 21% of computer and mathematical workforce and 24% of mathematical workforce and 24% of physical and life scientists. physical and life scientists.

B.B. Over a third of the Nobel Prize winners Over a third of the Nobel Prize winners in science over the last 15 years are in science over the last 15 years are foreign-born.foreign-born.

C. 24.2% of all international patent C. 24.2% of all international patent applications in 2006 were filed by applications in 2006 were filed by them. them.

D. Over 50% of all science, technology, D. Over 50% of all science, technology, engineering and mathematics engineering and mathematics graduates of U.S. universities graduates of U.S. universities

are are

foreign-born.foreign-born.

America in the FutureAmerica in the FutureI.I. America’s population trend America’s population trend

indicates decline of labor indicates decline of labor participation. participation. (2005 Report of American (2005 Report of American Immigration Law Foundation)Immigration Law Foundation)

A. By 2012, the number of workers, A. By 2012, the number of workers, age 55 and over, is projected to age 55 and over, is projected to increase by 49.3% compared to increase by 49.3% compared to 5.1% among those 25-54. 5.1% among those 25-54.B. Fertility rate by 2015-2020 B. Fertility rate by 2015-2020 projected to fall below replacement projected to fall below replacement level by 1.91 per woman. level by 1.91 per woman. C. Baby boomers will start retiring in C. Baby boomers will start retiring in 2011, thus reducing total workforce. 2011, thus reducing total workforce.

II.II. America’s demand for workers America’s demand for workers will significantly increase.will significantly increase.

A.A. 21.3 million new jobs will be created 21.3 million new jobs will be created by by 2020.2020.

• Manufacturers will have shortage of 10 Manufacturers will have shortage of 10 million by 2020 million by 2020 (National Association of (National Association of Manufacturers)Manufacturers)

• Healthcare industry will have 3.5 million Healthcare industry will have 3.5 million shortage by 2012.shortage by 2012.

B.B. Baby boomer retirement will create Baby boomer retirement will create serious labor shortage in education, serious labor shortage in education, public administration, transportation public administration, transportation and health.and health. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

C.C. If productivity rate of 3% continues If productivity rate of 3% continues and population trend maintained, there and population trend maintained, there will be an estimated labor shortage of will be an estimated labor shortage of 35 million in 25-30 years.35 million in 25-30 years. (Employment Policy (Employment Policy Foundation Report)Foundation Report)

III. Immigration will be vital III. Immigration will be vital source of needed workers. source of needed workers.

A. Alan Greenspan has A. Alan Greenspan has recommended recommended increase of immigration increase of immigration to ease to ease labor shortage labor shortage..

Need for Immigration ReformNeed for Immigration Reform

I.I. More temporary visas needed More temporary visas needed to attract essential workers.to attract essential workers.

II.II. Increase in immigrant visa Increase in immigrant visa numbers in both family-based numbers in both family-based and employment-based and employment-based categories is needed to ease categories is needed to ease

if not erase backlog.if not erase backlog.

III.III. Path to permanent residence Path to permanent residence

should be provided to the should be provided to the estimated 12 million estimated 12 million undocumented.undocumented.

A. Number of undocumented population in A. Number of undocumented population in 2006 for top ten countries. 2006 for top ten countries. (DHS Office of Immigration Statistics)(DHS Office of Immigration Statistics)

• Mexico – 6,570,000Mexico – 6,570,000• El Salvador – 510,000El Salvador – 510,000• Guatemala – 430,000Guatemala – 430,000• Philippines – 280,000Philippines – 280,000• Honduras – 280,000Honduras – 280,000• India – 270,000India – 270,000• Korea – 250,000Korea – 250,000• Brazil – 210,000Brazil – 210,000• China – 190,000China – 190,000• Vietnam – 160,000Vietnam – 160,000

B. 4.9% of American workers are B. 4.9% of American workers are undocumented and work in jobs not undocumented and work in jobs not taken by native Americans.taken by native Americans.

• They make up 24% of all farm workers; 17% They make up 24% of all farm workers; 17% of all cleaners; 14% of all construction of all cleaners; 14% of all construction workers; and 12% of all food preparation workers; and 12% of all food preparation workers. workers. (2006 Pew Hispanic Center Report)(2006 Pew Hispanic Center Report)

The EndThe End