The Self-Inflicted Wound: How America's Immigration Policy Could Fuel its Rivals

Is Migration: The Secret Power Boost for Nations and the Hidden Risks We Must Face

In today’s hyperconnected world, some nations have clearly embraced the transformative power of migration like no others. Singapore, with 29% of its population as migrants, and Dubai, staggering with 84%, stand as shining examples of how opening borders can supercharge economic growth and innovation. Canada follows closely with 21%, while the United States, home to 50.6 million immigrants, sees them making up 15.3% of its population.

These countries didn’t just happen to attract immigrants by chance. Over the decades, their open policies invited skilled labor—both blue-collar and white-collar workers—to contribute value across industries. Migrants aren't just workers; they become entrepreneurs, innovators, and cultural ambassadors, helping to build dynamic, resilient societies.

Dubai and Singapore highlight a crucial lesson—migration is not merely a policy decision; it’s a strategic lever that can propel a nation to global stature. While stories of migrant petty crime occasionally make headlines, they mirror tales of native-born criminals. The reality is more nuanced: integration must be a two-way street. Nations need better strategies to sensitize immigrants and help them feel like locals rather than outsiders.

Meanwhile, on a different front, the U.S. recently tried to slow China’s AI and semiconductor innovation by blocking sales of cutting-edge AI chips to China. What happened next surprised many: China didn’t just sit idle—they innovated. They built better mathematical algorithms instead of relying on foreign hardware, producing breakthroughs like Deepseek. The attempt to throttle China’s rise effectively pushed it to leapfrog technology. Innovation, it seems, finds a way.

Adding to the tension, former President Trump’s executive order imposed a steep $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, which are crucial for highly skilled talent—mainly from India (71% of recipients) and China (11.7%). This move raises a provocative question: Could restricting H-1B visas backfire like the AI chip ban did? For decades, the best minds from around the world boarded one-way flights to Silicon Valley, attracted by immense opportunity. This brain drain was accepted as inevitable.

But what happens when that escape hatch becomes prohibitively expensive? Today, the same IIT graduate or Tsinghua PhD might pause and ask: do I have to move to the U.S. to succeed? Or can I build the next billion-dollar startup right here—in Bangalore, Shenzhen, or Hyderabad?

As the U.S. struggles with tighter immigration policies and global competition, countries like China and India are rising as new centers of AI development and technological innovation. This shift signals a dramatic transformation in global talent flow and economic power.

In the end, migration—and the flow of talent it enables—remains one of the most potent forces in shaping the future of nations. Will openness and inclusion continue to be the secret to prosperity? Or will protectionism and high barriers close the gates, leaving some countries to face decline? The stories unfolding today offer a glimpse of that unfolding future.