Unicorn in the USA: Indians aren't stealing American jobs; they are building entire HR departments

Contrary to prevailing narratives about immigrants taking American jobs, a new policy brief by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) reveals that immigrants are significant drivers of innovation and economic growth in the United States. The report highlights that immigrants have founded or co-founded 455 of America's 775 "unicorns" – private startup companies valued at over $1 billion – accounting for 59% of all US billion-dollar startups.

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For a country currently engaged in a vigorous debate about whether immigrants are stealing jobs, swiping opportunities, overwhelming the system, and generally causing western civilization to collapse, the United States has produced a rather awkward statistic.

Further emphasizing their impact, nearly 80% of these unicorns have either an immigrant founder or an immigrant in a key leadership role. Notably, individuals of Indian origin are at the forefront, having founded 96 billion-dollar startups, a figure higher than any other immigrant group, including Israel, Britain, and China. This achievement is reflected in their median household income, which surpasses $150,000, significantly higher than the typical American family's income.

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While approximately two-thirds of America's unicorns were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants, nearly 80% have either an immigrant founder or an immigrant in a key leadership role.

The report's release is particularly timely, arriving amidst heightened anti-immigrant sentiment, much of which targets Indians and is fueled by debates over H-1B visas. Critics, particularly within the MAGA movement, accuse Indians in the technology sector of job theft, wage suppression, and monopolizing STEM fields. However, the NFAP study presents a starkly different picture, showcasing immigrant enterprise and substantial contributions.

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Remarkably, at a time of intense xenophobia directed at Indians by MAGA extremists, the report says people of Indian-origin (PIOs) account for 96 billion-dollar startups, more than any other immigrant group.

Immigrant-founded unicorns collectively employ an average of 833 workers per company, with a total value exceeding $5 trillion. These companies are leaders in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and healthcare. The report underscores that immigrants are not merely filling jobs but are actively creating entire companies and departments, driving innovation and economic value in the US.

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Indians, in startup terms, are not merely leading the league table, they are batting on a different pitch, an achievement reflected in their median household income which now tops $ 150,000 – which means Indian families in the US bring home roughly 80% more than the typical American family ($ 83,730) -- a fact that runs counter to the MAGA narrative that Indians are low-paid drudges mooching off the system.