Reference no: EM132152440

1. There are 5,700 immigrants who own small businesses in the Twin Cities area, as documented in a recent study conducted by the New York City-based researchers at Fiscal Policy Institute, which partnered with the Americas Society/Council of the Americas group.

Beyond identifying the sheer number of foreign-born business owners, the 41-page report, "Bringing Vitality to Main Street: How Immigrant Small Businesses Help Local Economies Grow," also uncovers surprising facts about immigrant-owned small businesses in the U.S. Among other things:

Immigrants own 53 percent of grocery stores, 38 percent of restaurants, 58 percent of dry cleaners, 61 percent of gas stations, 45 percent of nail salons, 43 percent of liquor stores and 32 percent of both jewelry and clothing stores in the U.S.

2. Mr. Johnson goes on to ask you to "observe the drug dealing... the illegal shellfish harvesting... the drive-by shootings." Alternatively, you can observe the number of kids from immigrant homes who are at the top of their classes in our high schools, who are receiving scholarships to colleges and universities, who are volunteering in their community, who are working after school in the family business or who are performing in the local arts scene.

Contrary to the picture Mr. Johnson paints, immigrant families are under-represented on welfare rolls and in crime statistics and are over-represented in educational achievement. Dare I suggest that rather than forcing Canadian lifestyle, traditions and practices on newcomers to Canada, we might learn a thing or two about hard work, achievement and commitment to family and community from them?

3. The links between migration–both internally and internationally –and its effects have been increasing attentions at regional and international policylevel. According to the official statisticsfrom the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 214 million people moved and worked abroad as for 2010, compared with 150 million in 2000.