This is the concluding installment in a 2-part guest commentary on immigration and its importance to the U.S. economy. Part 1 appeared in Sunday's edition.

Two of the greatest challenges faced by immigrants in Connecticut are visa limitations and cultural considerations. The two major routes to residency (and ultimately citizenship) are family visas and employment visas.

Employment visas are limited each year and this presents a challenge for skilled and educated foreign students. Some states have adopted innovative programs to overcome this challenge, most notably Massachusetts with its “Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program.” Under this pilot program, foreign graduates of state universities interested in staying in Massachusetts as entrepreneurs can apply to enroll in the program.

The program, administered by an independent state agency, is aimed at developing technology in Massachusetts. Selected individuals are placed in participating public and private universities where they work part-time and apply for visas that will be sponsored by their new employers. Since the pilot program was launched in 2014, 18 new companies have been founded, creating 218 jobs.

Immigrant entrepreneurs find the regulatory landscape a challenge. They are not unique in this regard. According to a 2016 business survey, Connecticut’s regulatory burden, taxes, and uncertainty in legislative decision-making are high on the list of business challenges. A welcome initiative has been the enactment of legislation to ease the regulatory burden on small businesses. A further challenge faced by immigrant entrepreneurs is a lack of knowledge about government regulation and the absence of the connections that are often necessary to navigate the regulatory environment.

Improving immigration policy

Policy innovations to promote the legal immigration of skilled workers and entrepreneurs could grow Connecticut’s population and stimulate the economy. Initiatives are necessary at the federal, state and regional level.

At the federal level we propose the following initiatives:

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[naviga:li]Expansion of visa programs to encourage foreign students to start a business during the course of their study visa and to pursue permanent residency;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Creation of a startup visa that allows immigrants to start a business in the U.S., which one study suggests could create up to

1.6 million new American jobs;[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Creation of state-based work visas so states can address regional needs.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

At the state level we propose these steps:

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[naviga:li]Develop university-affiliated programs to create residency opportunities similar to the Massachusetts Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Develop processes for evaluating foreign education to retain skilled workers. For example, foreign educated lawyers (subject to certain criteria) are eligible to sit for the New York State bar exam but not the Connecticut State bar exam without further education;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Develop a business friendly policy to identify and review regulations to help legal immigrants navigate the regulatory system (licensing, permits etc.).[/naviga:li]

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Finally, at the regional level, we propose that chambers of commerce develop initiatives such as the Immigrant Resource Center established by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. The mission of the center is to provide a culturally sensitive personalized service to the region’s immigrant entrepreneurs with the goal of providing a pathway to growing and/or opening their own businesses. This initiative includes:

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[naviga:li]An electronic resource center of federal and state business support/loan programs in the many languages represented in the region;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]A list of interpreters;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Focused networking events with presenters on business related matters with interpreters as needed;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Translation of business related brochures and application forms;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Assisting in state and local development-related permitting and public hearings and providing interpreters when necessary.[/naviga:li]

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Lessons can also be learned from initiatives taken by the City of Chicago, including its small business support network providing technical assistance, mentorship, and access to an affordable shared working space; and regulatory workshops on licensing, permitting, and inspections.

There is an opportunity to harness legal immigration for job creation and economic growth. Initiatives focused on skilled workers will help close Connecticut's skilled-worker deficit and grow its population. Declaring Connecticut as a welcoming and supportive state for immigrant entrepreneurs will enhance the state's business image. The implementation of innovative immigration initiatives will ultimately enhance the social, cultural and economic vitality of Connecticut to the benefit of all residents.

Denise Collins is a business lawyer based in Stonington. She practiced and trained with leading corporate law firms in Europe for 10 years. Tony Sheridan is president CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and former first selectman in Waterford. He emigrated from Ireland at age 19.