A number of studies show that overall immigrants greatly benefit the U.S. economy by starting businesses and creating jobs. Some key findings:

• Immigrants are entrepreneurial, being 30% more likely to start businesses than non-immigrants
• Although immigrants comprise 13% of the overall population, they own 18% of all small businesses
• 28% of new businesses started in 2011 were started by immigrants
• 18% of the Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants; another 22% were founded by children of immigrants
• Businesses owned by immigrants employed almost 5 million people and contributed over $776 billion to the economy in 2007
• Public companies started by immigrants include Google, Yahoo, eBay, Intel, Carnival Cruise Lines, DuPont, Nvidia, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble and US Steel

Sources: Fiscal Policy Institute, Small Business Administration, SmartMoney, Forbes, Washington Post, CNN Money