Unlocking Potential—Why Immigration Reform Fuels Innovation
The Immigrant Behind Google: A Lesson in Opportunity
The next time you search for something on Google, consider this: the company that has become synonymous with knowledge, efficiency, and innovation exists because of an immigrant.
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, was born in Moscow, Russia, and immigrated to the United States with his family as a child.
His parents fled anti-Semitic discrimination in the Soviet Union, seeking a better life and greater opportunities in America.
Years later, Brin, along with Larry Page, would create one of the most transformative companies in history—a company that employs tens of thousands of people and generates billions in economic activity.
Brin’s story is not unique.
Nearly half of today’s Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, including Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Pfizer. (Source)
These businesses don’t just create wealth for their founders—they employ millions, contribute to technological advancements, and shape the future of entire industries.
So, if immigrants have contributed so much to America’s success, why is our immigration system designed to keep them out?
The Broken System—Why We’re Driving Away the Next Sergey Brin
Despite America’s history of benefiting from immigrant entrepreneurs, our current policies make legal immigration an obstacle course rather than a welcome mat.
Restrictive visa quotas, backlogged processing times, and bureaucratic red tape discourage talented individuals from coming to the U.S.—or force them to take their ideas elsewhere.
Instead of embracing the world’s best and brightest, we make them jump through hoops, spend years in uncertainty, and sometimes deny them entry altogether.
Meanwhile, other nations, like Canada and Germany, are actively courting these skilled workers with streamlined immigration pathways.
How many future innovators—how many potential "next Googles"—are we losing because of an outdated and restrictive system?
The Economic and Human Cost of Restrictive Immigration
Beyond innovation, immigrants are critical to nearly every sector of the economy. They are:
25% of all entrepreneurs in the U.S.
More likely to start businesses than native-born citizens
A major driving force in STEM fields, medicine, and essential industries
Yet, instead of recognizing their contributions, many policymakers frame immigration as a threat. The narrative is focused on fear—on the false idea that immigrants "take jobs" rather than create them.
But the data is clear: immigrants don’t just fill jobs—they build industries.
Blocking immigration isn’t just inhumane—it’s economically foolish.
The American Immigration Council found that if the U.S. increased its annual immigration rate by just 2%, it could double GDP growth over the next 20 years.
The Humanist Argument—Why We Must Embrace Opportunity
At its core, this isn’t just about economic policy—it’s about Humanism.
It’s about recognizing that every person, no matter where they were born, has potential. It’s about rejecting fear-based nationalism in favor of collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity.
Wealth isn’t a fixed pie.
When one person succeeds, we all benefit.
When we open doors to the best and brightest from around the world, we strengthen our country, our economy, and our future.
The Call to Action: Rethink Immigration, Rethink Opportunity
America has thrived because of its diversity, its openness, and its willingness to welcome dreamers and doers.
If we want to remain a global leader, we need to fix our broken immigration system—not build higher walls, but build better bridges.
America’s greatness has never come from closing doors—it has come from opening them.
Progress isn’t about where you were born, but what you contribute.
When we lift barriers instead of building walls, we don’t just transform individual lives—we transform society itself.
Stay Curious. Stay Human. And Always, Be Kind.
