Get All Access for $5/mo

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.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says the Best Entrepreneurs Are Good at This One Thing

Real estate entrepreneur and investor Barbara Corcoran says a few key traits prove effective when starting a business. Here's her top pick.

Business News

I Tried Buying a Car on Amazon. Here Are the Pros and Cons.

Amazon Autos just launched, and users can buy a new car online. Here's how it works and what needs to improve.

Business News

'I've Got All the Time in the World': AI Grandma Thwarts Scammers By Answering Their Calls

The AI persona called Daisy keeps scammers on the line for 40 minutes at a time with stories of her family and passion for knitting.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.