The U.S. Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan body representing cities with populations of 30,000 or more, has called on federal legislators to introduce a “heartland visa.” This proposed visa would target high-skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to move to areas suffering from economic downturns and population decreases.
The United States has reaped substantial benefits from skilled immigrants who drive entrepreneurship and innovation. The Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a bipartisan public policy organization focused on improving the American economy, reports that skilled immigrants contributed to 30 to 50 percent of all productivity growth between 1990 and 2010. However, EIG highlights that these economic benefits are predominantly concentrated in a few coastal “superstar” metros, with three-quarters of U.S. patents originating from just 100 counties. Currently, only 4.4 percent of highly educated immigrants reside in heartland regions, compared to 20 percent nationally. In response, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted a bipartisan resolution endorsing the Heartland Visa proposal to revitalize local economies through high-skilled immigration.
The Heartland Visa aims to leverage skilled workers to rejuvenate areas affected by deindustrialization by redistributing talent across the country. This visa would create a new immigration pathway for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, simplifying their route to permanent residency in exchange for their commitment to live in participating communities experiencing economic decline. The proposal includes several key features:
- Eligibility Criteria: Targets counties with population declines or sluggish growth, excluding those with high-cost, restrictive housing markets.
- Residency Requirements: Visa holders must reside within participating areas for the required duration but are free to work anywhere.
- Earnings Threshold for Residency: High earners on the visa can secure an expedited path to permanent residency without labor market tests.
- Regional Allocation and Term: Visas are allocated quarterly based on regional needs, with an initial three-year term, renewable for up to six years.
The Heartland Visa is designed to more evenly distribute the benefits of skilled immigration across the United States. By encouraging skilled immigrants to settle in underserved regions, the program aims to boost local economies and provide new opportunities for immigrants.
Key features of the Heartland Visa proposal include:
- Dual Opt-In: Both communities and immigrants must choose to participate, aligning their needs and preferences.
- Wage-Based Allocation: Visas are awarded based on job offers or earnings history, adjusted for age and local ties, ensuring economic benefits.
- Permanent Residency: Visa holders can obtain permanent residency after six years in a designated area, facilitating long-term contributions to their new communities.
- Scalable Impact: Designed to expand based on the number of participating counties, with a potential minimum of 100,000 visas annually.
Eligible regions for the Heartland Visa include those with significant population declines or economic stagnation, characterized by higher poverty rates and lower median incomes compared to more prosperous counties. Introducing skilled immigrants to these areas could help reverse negative trends and stimulate economic development.
This program has the potential to set a precedent for regional development through targeted immigration policies, harnessing the full potential of America’s immigrant workforce to revitalize the heartland.
