Heartland Visa Program Aims to Revitalize De-Industrialized U.S. Regions with Skilled Immigrants

A new immigration initiative, the Heartland Visa program, may soon provide highly qualified workers, entrepreneurs, and inventors from around the world the opportunity to become permanent residents of the United States. This program has garnered the endorsement of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is designed to attract skilled immigrants to de-industrialized heartland regions.

Developed by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a bipartisan public policy organization, the Heartland Visa seeks to bring skilled immigrants to areas impacted by de-industrialization. These immigrants are viewed as vital contributors to the U.S. economy through job creation, technological innovation, and problem-solving. According to an EIG report, immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of native-born Americans, making them significant job creators.

The resolution calls on Congress to establish the Heartland Visa program, offering a new immigration pathway for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to communities often overlooked by current U.S. immigration policy.

The United States has long benefited from the contributions of skilled immigrants. Annually, immigrants establish one-quarter of all new firms, and 44 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Despite these contributions, the economic benefits of immigration are unevenly distributed, with most skilled immigrants concentrated in a few urban centers. This disparity underscores the need for a more balanced immigration policy to stimulate local economies nationwide.

The Heartland Visa is a forward-thinking proposal that allows communities to opt into a new immigration pathway for highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The program prioritizes higher-earning applicants and those with local ties, aiming to play a crucial role in the economic revitalization of participating areas.

Workers with sufficient earnings will gain permanent residency in return for living in a Heartland Visa community, bypassing the red tape and bureaucracy of the current immigration system.

Key Features of the Heartland Visa:

Dual Opt-In: Counties experiencing economic decline or stagnation can choose to participate in the program, while applicants select their preferred destinations.

Prioritize High-Wage Job Offers: Applicants are allocated quarterly based on the highest job offers or earnings histories, adjusted for age and local ties.

Pathway to Permanent Residency: Heartland Visa holders, after living in a participating community for six years, will have an expedited path to a green card.

Scale: The program is designed to be large enough to significantly alter the economic trajectory of participating communities for the better.