America’s biggest economic asset: What an average Indian immigrant can save the US govt over lifetime | Explained

According to a recent study by the Manhattan Institute, Indian immigrants are the most economically beneficial immigrant group to the United States. The study, conducted by Daniel Di Martino, estimates that the average Indian immigrant and their descendants will save the federal government $1.7 million over 30 years.

This figure surpasses that of other immigrant groups, such as Chinese immigrants, who reduce the debt by over $800,000, and Filipino immigrants, who reduce it by over $600,000. Colombians and Venezuelans contribute reductions of $500,000 and $400,000, respectively.

These findings are significant, especially in light of recent policy changes that have narrowed the avenues for skilled migrants, including those entering the U.S. on H-1B visas. The study suggests that reforms aimed at removing caps on employment-based visas based on the country of origin and extending work visas to spouses and children above the age of 15 could add over a million people to the US workforce without increasing the overall number of immigrants.

Additionally, the report recommends auctioning EB-5 green cards and allocating H-1B visas based on the salaries employers offer, adjusted for local cost of living and the applicant's age.