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Are Immigrant Business Owners Driving U.S. Growth? (Infographic) Nearly one in five small-business owners in America is an immigrant. Here's a look at where they are finding success.

By Kathleen Davis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Are Immigrant Business Owners Driving US Growth

Immigrants have sought entrepreneurial opportunity in the U.S. since the nation was founded. But with immigration becoming a hot-button political topic, are entrepreneurs still finding business opportunities in U.S.? Recent statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration and others shows that in the past 20 years, more people born outside the U.S. have started new businesses on American shores (a 149% increase from 1990 to 2010). Of the 1.8 million new small-business owners between 30% were born outside the U.S.

Related: Obama, Romney Battle Over Immigration

Below, a look at the landscape of immigrant business owners in the U.S., where they are from, what industries they are growing and role they play in the country's economy.

Making It In America - Foreign-Born Business Owners Driving Growth

Kathleen Davis is the former associate editor at Entrepreneur.com.

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