How do immigrants make us more innovative?

Watch this brief video where Zeke Hernandez discusses how immigrants contribute to innovation in various sectors.

Key Insights on Immigrant Innovation

  • Technology: Immigrants significantly contribute to advancements in “highbrow” technology and scientific research. They’re only 16% of inventors in the US, but are responsible for 36% of all patents.
  • Everyday Products: Beyond high-tech, immigrants introduce new tastes, products, and services that quickly become mainstream and diversify what you spend time and money on—like foods, sports, music, leisure activities, and hobbies.
  • Consumers: Immigrants don’t just increase the amount of consumption, they also increase its variety. This makes the demand-side of the economy more vibrant and dynamic.
  • Innovative Companies: Both the highbrow and lowbrow innovations brought by immigrants are disproportionately commercialized—and make it to your doorstep—by companies started by immigrants
  • Win-win: By introducing new ideas, products, and services immigrants make native-born inventors, workers, and entrepreneurs more creative and innovative.

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How To Talk About Immigration

Conversations about immigration can be challenging due to its politicization, leading to avoidance, echo chambers, or confrontations.

This guide offers principles based on expert research and the author’s experiences, aimed at facilitating constructive discussions about immigration.

Case Studies/Examples

Use these questions to spark thoughtful conversations about undocumented immigration, its impacts, and potential solutions.

Prompting Meaningful Dialogue

Use these questions to spark thoughtful conversations about the innovative contributions of immigrants.

  • What are some examples of high-tech innovations driven by immigrants?
  • Picture yourself walking through your favorite supermarket. Make a list of all the things you normally see on the aisles that were introduced by immigrants. How many can you come up with?
  • Think of the things you enjoy for recreation—like sports, music, or art. How have immigrants contributed to those areas of enjoyment in your life? 
  • Think of an example in which you have come up with a new idea or been more creative because you interacted with someone from a different national background.

Further reading and research:

Ready to learn more? Access detailed studies, articles, and reports that provide a factual, in-depth look at the contributions and impacts of immigrants in our society.

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