Study: Immigration Reform Will Create Jobs, Boost GDP

Herald Online

July 18, 2013

In conjunction with the American Action Forum, the American Action Network and Americans for Tax Reform, Regional Economic Models, Inc. released an exhaustive report this morning that evaluates the economic effects of key components of immigration reform and finds a net positive effect at the state and national level.

The ground-breaking study analyzes the comprehensive, state-by-state macroeconomic reforms of potential reforms to immigration reform, including the path to legal status, increases in high-skill visas and changes to low-skill visa programs. The findings include:

Proposed changes to the path to legal status would create jobs and increase GDP. The changes would net 594,000 new U.S. jobs by 2018 and increase GDP by $49.93 billion in that same timeframe – with all states and the District of Columbia registering gains.

H-1B visa expansion would result in a net increase of jobs and GDP. Changes would result in net increase of 1.3 million jobs by 2045 and a GDP increase of more than $158 billion in that same timeframe – with all states and all years from 2014-2045 registering gains.

The new W-1 visa program will create jobs and increase the GDP by billions. As a result of the new W-1 visa program, close to 365,000 jobs will be gained by 2045 and GDP is expected to increase by $31 billion in that same timeframe.

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