The American Dream was once a fairly simple concept: The nation would welcome strivers from across the world and invite them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, work hard, pay taxes, and become contributing citizens. However, immigration has become a highly charged political issue in the current era, making things more complicated. That’s one … Continue reading “Global Detroit, U-M Team on Program to Boost Immigrant-Led Startups”
Tag: Global Detroit
Global Detroit Pushes Back on Trump’s Latest Immigration Proposals
President Donald Trump’s demand for more than $5 billion in budget appropriations to build a wall along the southern border of the United States—and congressional Democrats’ refusal to allocate that money—recently sparked the longest partial shutdown of the federal government in the nation’s history. That shutdown is now in temporary reprieve until mid-February, theoretically to … Continue reading “Global Detroit Pushes Back on Trump’s Latest Immigration Proposals”
Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More
It has been a busy fall in Michigan, full of local tech and innovation news. Here’s a look at some of the recent announcements: —Earlier this month, TechTown Detroit hosted the Toast of the Town event to honor winners of its Salute awards, which recognize the best and brightest in the local startup ecosystem. The … Continue reading “Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More”
Trump Executive Order Adds Uncertainty to Tech Visa Program
Is the U.S. high-skilled visa program, known as H-1B, an essential contributor to the innovation economy or a way for companies to replace American IT workers with immigrants at lower salaries? It’s a debate as old as the program itself, which began in 1990. The Trump administration on Tuesday joined the fray with a long-anticipated … Continue reading “Trump Executive Order Adds Uncertainty to Tech Visa Program”
Trump’s Immigration Policies Threaten to Thwart Economic Growth
For the entire staff at Global Detroit, the Executive Orders from President Trump on immigration, refugees, the so-called Muslim ban, and the wall have been devastating and deeply distressing. They challenge our sense of American values and history. Beyond our personal and moral reactions, however, the Executive Orders also may have some impact on the … Continue reading “Trump’s Immigration Policies Threaten to Thwart Economic Growth”
In Trump’s America, Does Immigration Remain an Engine for Growth?
There are plenty of constituencies looking ahead to Donald Trump’s presidency with trepidation, but perhaps none more so than immigrants. The words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty may call for the rest of the world to send us their huddled masses yearning to breathe free, but many in the American electorate apparently feel differently. … Continue reading “In Trump’s America, Does Immigration Remain an Engine for Growth?”
Report Shows International Students Filling State’s STEM Talent Gap
Those of us who have always imagined America to be a place that welcomes immigrants and refugees as a matter of principle have mostly watched in horror as this election season has unfolded. Amid talk of “a big, beautiful wall” between Mexico and the United States, a ban on Muslims entering the country, and dog-whistling … Continue reading “Report Shows International Students Filling State’s STEM Talent Gap”
Duo Security and GTRI Partner on International STEM Talent Event
Dozens of international students finishing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields were on hand at Duo Security’s Ann Arbor, MI, office last week for a tech talent matchmaking event sponsored by the Michigan Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) and Global Detroit. The event was the first in a series designed to connect … Continue reading “Duo Security and GTRI Partner on International STEM Talent Event”
Roundup: URC Report, Harman, Global Detroit, TechShop & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —This week, Harman, maker of speakers popular with musicians and audiophiles—Harman Kardon is one of the brands associated with the company—celebrated the official opening of its North American headquarters in Novi. The 188,000-square-foot building will house 1,000 employees focused on engineering and developing advanced technology for … Continue reading “Roundup: URC Report, Harman, Global Detroit, TechShop & More”
Knight Contest’s Detroit Finalists Propose Innovative Civic Projects
More than a dozen Detroit-based civic projects incorporating entrepreneurship, repurposed vacant spaces, co-working, and more have been nominated as part of the second-annual Knight Cities Challenge, a national competition that seeks ideas for improving the 26 communities where the Knight Foundation invests its philanthropic dollars. The winning pitches are awarded grants in various amounts. Applicants … Continue reading “Knight Contest’s Detroit Finalists Propose Innovative Civic Projects”
Varsity News Network 2.0 Launches Early, & Other Recent MI News
Here’s a look at recent news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —When we last spoke to Grand Rapids-based Varsity News Network earlier this year, the company—which connects K-12 student athletes, parents, and coaches—told us it expected to release a “version 2.0” next year that would give users the ability to create profiles and share content. … Continue reading “Varsity News Network 2.0 Launches Early, & Other Recent MI News”
Roundup: Hatch Detroit, TechTown, DeNovo, & More
Here’s a look at news you may have missed from Michigan’s innovation hubs: —Comerica Hatch Detroit, the annual contest that awards $50,000 to the winning startup venture, will accept applications from entrepreneurs until July 24. (All applications must be filled out online.) In addition to the cash, the winner will also receive a package of … Continue reading “Roundup: Hatch Detroit, TechTown, DeNovo, & More”
Roundup: Upwardly Global, BoostUp, Jacapps, Quicken Loans, Sakti3
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation ecosystem: —On June 20, we published an article in which Steve Tobocman, director of Global Detroit, predicted that Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan would soon announce new “immigration reform strategies.” On June 23, the city did indeed announce that the San Francisco-based nonprofit Upwardly Global has opened … Continue reading “Roundup: Upwardly Global, BoostUp, Jacapps, Quicken Loans, Sakti3”
Tobocman: Eric Cantor’s Defeat Hardly the End of Immigration Reform
Steve Tobocman, director of the immigration reform group Global Detroit, was at the second annual Global Great Lakes Network Convening last week when he heard the news: Eric Cantor, the sitting House Majority Leader, had been defeated in a Republican primary by a political novice, Dave Brat, who ran a grassroots campaign on what amounts … Continue reading “Tobocman: Eric Cantor’s Defeat Hardly the End of Immigration Reform”
Will Snyder’s Proposed Immigration Reforms Boost Entrepreneurship?
During his State of the State address in January, Michigan governor Rick Snyder, who likes to refer to himself as “the most pro-immigration governor in America,” unveiled a bold plan to revitalize beleaguered Detroit—and to boost economic growth in the whole state. He called on the federal government to grant Michigan 50,000 visas over five … Continue reading “Will Snyder’s Proposed Immigration Reforms Boost Entrepreneurship?”
Report: Michigan Could Be Hot Spot for Global Tech Talent
In Michigan, we hear a lot of discussion about the challenge of keeping talented, young workers in the state after they graduate from college. According to a new report out last week from the Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan (GTRI), one area where Michigan might have a leg up on other places is international … Continue reading “Report: Michigan Could Be Hot Spot for Global Tech Talent”