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An Open Letter from 1,470 Economists on Immigration

Dear Mr. President, Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan, and Minority Leader Pelosi:

The undersigned economists represent a broad swath of political and economic views. Among us are Republicans and Democrats alike. Some of us favor free markets while others have championed for a larger role for government in the economy. But on some issues there is near universal agreement. One such issue concerns the broad economic benefit that immigrants to this country bring.

As Congress and the Administration prepare to revisit our immigration laws, we write to express our broad consensus that immigration is one of America’s significant competitive advantages in the global economy. With the proper and necessary safeguards in place, immigration represents an opportunity rather than a threat to our economy and to American workers.

We view the benefits of immigration as myriad:

  • Immigration brings entrepreneurs who start new businesses that hire American workers.
  • Immigration brings young workers who help offset the large-scale retirement of baby boomers.
  • Immigration brings diverse skill sets that keep our workforce flexible, help companies grow, and increase the productivity of American workers.
  • Immigrants are far more likely to work in innovative, job-creating fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math that create life-improving products and drive economic growth.

Immigration undoubtedly has economic costs as well, particularly for Americans in certain industries and Americans with lower levels of educational attainment. But the benefits that immigration brings to society far outweigh their costs, and smart immigration policy could better maximize the benefits of immigration while reducing the costs.

We urge Congress to modernize our immigration system in a way that maximizes the opportunity immigration can bring, and reaffirms continuing the rich history of welcoming immigrants to the United States.

Sincerely,

  • VERNON SMITH

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2002; Chapman University

  • OLIVER HART

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2016; Harvard University

  • ALVIN E. ROTH

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2012; Stanford University

  • ANGUS DEATON

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2015; Princeton University

  • LARS PETER HANSEN

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2013; University of Chicago

  • ROGER MYERSON

    Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2007; University of Chicago

  • DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN

    Former Director of the Congressional Budget Office, Council of Economic Advisers for President George H.W. Bush; American Action Forum

  • ALICE RIVLIN

    Former OMB Director for President Clinton; Brookings Institution

  • AUSTAN GOOLSBEE

    Former Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers for President Obama; University of Chicago

  • GEORGE P. SHULTZ

    Former Secretary of State for President Reagan; Hoover Institution; Stanford University

  • GLENN HUBBARD

    Former Chairman,Council of Economic Advisers for President George W. Bush; Columbia University

  • JASON FURMAN

    Former Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers for President Obama; Peterson Institute for International Economics

  • JAMES C. MILLER III

    Former OMB Director for President Reagan

Click here to download the letter with all signatures.

About NAE

New American Economy is a bipartisan research and advocacy organization fighting for smart federal, state, and local immigration policies that help grow our economy and create jobs for all Americans. More…