Immigration

Since our state’s earliest days, immigration has kept Minnesota strong and competitive. From our Scandinavian and German roots to our Slovenians, Croatians, and Serbs on the Iron Range to our Liberian, Hmong, Somali, and Ethiopian communities, our state’s heritage is filled with immigrants working on the front lines, starting companies, and expanding economic opportunity for all of us.
Some of Minnesota’s most successful companies were founded and are led by immigrants and children of immigrants. Minnesota’s story is also America’s story. More than 30 percent of U.S. Nobel Laureates were born abroad and almost half of America’s Fortune 500 companies were started by people born in other countries or their children. In an increasingly global economy, immigrants continue to be a major economic driver in our economy.
Immigrant families don’t diminish America, they define America. They strengthen America. They are America. Legal immigration strengthens America’s workforce and ensures that we maintain our global competitive edge. We cannot afford to shut out the world’s talent or drive away those who call our country home–including immigrants who are now working as healthcare professionals and other front–line employees, often in rural and underserved urban areas. We don’t know who will create the next Post–it Note. But we do know one thing: when they do, we want them doing it here in America.
As Minnesota’s U.S. senator, I will continue to focus on these priorities: