How Immigrants Forestall Death of More Than 1 in 3 U.S. Counties

March 15, 2013. The National Journal reports on how immigration has offset a decline in the U.S.-born population.

Without immigrants, many metropolitan regions would have declined; beyond the obvious destinations, namely New York and Chicago (respectively the largest and third-largest), immigrants shored up Detroit, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

“Immigrants are innovators, entrepreneurs,” said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder at a recent immigration conference, according to an Associated Press Report. “They’re making things happen.”

A July 2012 report by the Fiscal Policy Institute indicated that immigrants own 18 percent of small businesses in the U.S., up from 12 percent in 20 years.