Space X shows immigrants help

Last Tuesday, the world watched as Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying his cherry red Tesla Roadster. The launch was an overwhelming success. SpaceX not only successfully launched the Falcon Heavy rocket, but it landed both booster engines back on earth at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is hard to remember all of the firsts Elon Musk and SpaceX have accomplished, but what is probably most important is that Elon Musk has renewed America’s interest in space exploration. Policymakers, teachers and academics have long lamented the decline in America’s enthusiasm for the space program. The routine of Space Shuttle launches in the ’90s and early 2000s just didn’t spark the interest of the American public like the Apollo program.

America is smitten with space flight again, but this time America’s engineering achievements are not built by a government, but by an immigrant. Lost in the debate about DACA and Dreamers is an ancillary battle to limit the number of legal immigrants who come to America. A battle to limit the number of Elon Musks who have the ability to reshape our economy and retool our imagination.

Tuesday, we saw the best of America’s immigration system, but if we limit it, the next great achievement may not come from the United States.

SANTIAGO MARQUEZ, PRESIDENT AND CEO, GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE