Small Business Majority Recognizes the Important Role Dreamers Play in Driving America’s Small Business Community and Economy

Washington, DC – Today, Small Business Majority’s National Latino Entrepreneurship Director, Xiomara Peña, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration cannot carry out its plan to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has allowed nearly 800,000 young people, known as "Dreamers," to avoid deportation and remain in the U.S.

“Today, the highest court in the land has delivered a resounding message: America is a nation built by immigrants and it will remain that way. Our economic prosperity has long been linked to the courage and tenacity of immigrants, from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe, coming to America in pursuit of their dreams. For many, owning a business is the realization of that dream. 

In fact, immigrants are among our nation’s most prolific small business owners and entrepreneurs. Collectively, 13% of Dreamers under and over the age of 25 have started their own business—far exceeding the rate of business ownership among native-born Americans. And, their contributions do not stop there. Hundreds of thousands of Dreamers are employed by our nation’s small businesses, and their contributions make our workforce stronger. 

Had the Supreme Court not intervened, and the Trump Administration was allowed to continue its effort to end DACA, our nation would have experienced a loss of $280 billion in economic growth. At a time when our nation’s small businesses are experiencing unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, this decision could not come at a more important time. 

In my line of work, I often encounter DACA recipients who are developing innovative, new business models that are paving the way in their industry. As our nation looks to recover from the COVID-19 recession, the resiliency of Dreamers will be paramount to our immediate recovery and America’s long-term success and prosperity. We are loudly cheering this important victory today, and tomorrow Dreamers across America will get right back to work building a more diverse, inclusive, and stronger economy.”