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Understanding Immigration: AIC Publishes Fact Sheets and Resources on Immigration Hot Topics

The American Immigration Council (AIC), a nonprofit immigration advocacy group, published fact sheets and resources with key data points, historical information, and background on hot topics in immigration.  These publications highlight various aspects of economic contributions immigrants, such as H-1B and Temporary Protected Status workers, provide to the U.S.


H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) classification that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.

According to AIC, H-1B workers contributions to the economy help create new jobs and new opportunities for economic expansion.  This includes filling employment gaps in many Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations, expanding job opportunities, and bolstering innovation in industries across the U.S.

For example, AIC reports that unemployment rates are low for occupations that use large numbers of H-1Bs, such as STEM occupations.  AIC notes research that indicates an increase in H-1Bs could create an estimated 1.3 million new jobs and add around $158 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the U.S. by 2045.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

TPS is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of specific countries that are facing an ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.  TPS provides recipients with a work permit and a stay of deportation.

According to AIC, TPS recipients add value to the economy through their high rates of labor market participation, and the goods and services they purchase in U.S. businesses, including maintaining mortgages and paying taxes.

AIC notes a report from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, which estimated that expelling TPS recipients from the U.S., whose wages would no longer flow into the U.S. economy, would represent a loss of $4.5 billion in GDP per year.

For H-1B and TPS fact sheets or resources about the U.S. immigration system, visit AIC’s website.

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