Nearly a year ago, the Senate passed a strongly bipartisan immigration reform bill that would grow the nation’s economy, reduce federal deficits, and enable some of the best and brightest minds from around the world to contribute to the American workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This week, we are highlighting the urgency of immigration reform and the need for the House of Representatives to act before August.
Not only would the Senate bill effectively “staple” a green card to the diplomas of advanced STEM graduates educated in the United States, it would create a new pathway for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and grow their companies here.
As a computer science professor and serial entrepreneur, Luis von Ahn exemplifies the best of both worlds. Luis grew up in Guatemala, studied math and computer science at two great American universities, and went on to launch a number of successful startups. His latest venture is Duolingo, an iPhone App of the Year with over 12 million active users learning a new language. The Pittsburgh-based company employs 35 people and is growing fast.
I spoke with Luis about his experience as an immigrant entrepreneur, and how immigration reform would allow America to remain a magnet for countless other brilliant innovators who dream of making a big impact here.
Fonte: White House