Research: Compared to Native-Born Americans, Immigrants Are Twice as Likely Start New Businesses

A new study to be published in American Economic Review found that immigrants are twice as likely to start businesses compared to the native-born population. The researchers analyzed IRS records between the years 2005 to 2010 and determined that .83% of immigrants in the workforce started new businesses compared to .46% of native-born individuals.
They aren't taking jobs from Americans; they are creating new ones.
American Economic Association: "The findings suggest that immigrants act more as "job creators" than "job takers" and play outsized roles in U.S. high-growth entrepreneurship."
And, these aren't just small businesses. The study's authors also looked at medium-sized and Fortune 500 companies and the the story was the same; immigrants are more likely to start businesses of all sizes.
This new study confirms past research, some of which we have discussed before. See: "Study Finds that Immigrants are Twice as Likely to Start New Businesses," from October of last year.
The question, of course, is why these folks tend to be more entrepreneurial. The easy answer is that individuals willing to leave family and friends and overcome language and cultural barriers are highly motivated people. However, we don't have definitive studies demonstrating that yet. However, we can say this; the typical right-wing narrative about folks immigrating to America is pretty far off the mark. The entire nation benefits from their efforts to make a better life.
By: Don Lam & Curated Content