Immigration Reform

The Innovate MA Coalition believes that a sound and humane immigration policy is an opportunity to extend equal freedom, opportunity, and access to the American Dream. We believe that the strength of Massachusetts, as well as that of the United States, is built on our long history of immigration. This history has resulted in a more prosperous, diverse, and culturally rich Commonwealth.

Our current immigration system is outdated and would benefit from comprehensive reform. Specifically, we support reforming the H1-B Visa program to one that welcomes immigrants with needed skills. The reality is we are not competing with each other in Massachusetts, or even with other American cities. We're competing in a global economy against increasingly competitive hubs of innovation.

We also support reform that enables immigrants who come here for education to stay after graduation. Many students who come here for advanced degrees have their research supported by the American public and federal agencies. However, they're then told soon after graduation that then they need to go home. That investment we're losing that taxpayers made disproportionately hurts Massachusetts because of our high number of higher ed institutions per capita.