The United States prides itself on being a nation built by expats who contribute to economic growth by paying taxes, working, and innovating to solve global challenges. It is immigration law that facilitates this importation of skills and knowledge.
An illustrative example can be found in a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which showed that noncitizens contributed 36% of the country's innovation output since 1990 despite making up only 16% of the inventor workforce. Other reports highlight that they paid $330 billion in federal income tax in 2019 alone. Robust and progressive immigration laws help countries harness their invaluable contributions while at the same time creating a safe and conducive environment for citizens, investors, and other residents.