It's no secret that we're living in some of the craziest times in the history of our country. In particular, the Hispanic community seems to be facing a barrage on many fronts that are attempting to weaken our communities and ultimately, our businesses.
The USHCC champions the growth and success of America's small businesses, with our mission focusing on the more than five million Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute over $800 billion to the US economy each year.
We advocate for a network of more than 260 local Hispanic Chambers and business associations, and proudly partner with over 100 major US corporations to empower and support small businesses nationwide.
The Hispanic business community is not only the fastest growing segment of the US economy, it is the driving force of innovation, resilience and entrepreneurship. Today, Hispanic owned businesses contribute over $800 billion to the economy, employ millions and create opportunities across every sector.
We can boast a gross domestic product of over $4 trillion. Effectively, we are the fifth largest economy in the world, surpassing countries such as India, the United Kingdom and France.
Latina entrepreneurs are the major driving force behind this, creating businesses at six times the national average.
But to unleash our full potential, we need a policy environment that reflects both our challenges and our strengths. This is why the USHCC is committed to championing policy priorities that build our ecosystem to accelerate Hispanic business growth and prosperity.
Our first policy priority is immigration. Immigration is not just a social issue, it's an economic engine, from entrepreneurs who launch businesses to essential workers who fuel our industries, immigrants strengthen America. We call for comprehensive immigration reform that balances border security with economic opportunity. This would include a pathway for legalization for Dreamers and DACA recipients, policies that recognize immigration as a tool to strengthen our workforce, grow our GDP and maintain America's competitive edge, strengthen our visa policies and a modernize guest worker program to meet the demands of our workforce.
In today's global economy, talent is borderless, yet our outdated visa system makes it difficult for businesses to recruit the workers and innovators they need. We support visa reforms that expand opportunities for high-skilled talent, entrepreneurs and seasonal workers alike, while ensuring fair treatment to all of those.
We support policies that remove criminals and those that have not adhered to our laws as a country. But this really only applies to a small number of people. Of our 65 million-plus Hispanic residents, the vast majority are here to work, are peaceful, pay their taxes and attempt to make a better life for them and their families.
The ICE raids that we are witnessing violate what USHCC stands for. Over 45 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their descendants, adding $8.6 trillion to the GDP in 2023. In fact, Fortune 500 firms started by immigrant families would be the third largest economy of the world, behind only the United States and China.
Don't let anyone use criminal or illegal alien arguments to mask blatant racism. We are a peaceful, hard working community. We are creating businesses, jobs and opportunities in our communities. Yes, there are bad apples in every bunch. But that does not define who we are as the Hispanic community. According to research done by our sister organization, UNIDOS US, 90 percent of Hispanics are here legally or are citizens; 50 percent of Hispanics are citizens, and 73 percent of immigrants have status here.
People aren't afraid of gangs. They're not afraid of what it means for Hispanics to take their jobs. They're afraid that the 65 million plus of us are going to vote en bloc together and end their hold on power. In reality, less than one percent of people here in the United States are undocumented.
We come in all shapes sizes, backgrounds and colors, from Mexican, Colombian, Puerto Rican, to Afro-Latino to LGBTQ-plus and beyond. Our shared cultural backgrounds and strong entrepreneurial spirits are what binds us together. They can never take that from us, and we cannot let them use tactics to divide us.
Second and most central of our mission, entrepreneurship and the prosperity of small businesses. Small businesses, particularly Hispanic-owned businesses, are the backbone of the American economy. Yet, we continue to face barriers to capital, procurement opportunities and government support. The USHCC calls for expanding access to capital through federal loan programs, community banks and CDFIs, protecting and expanding government contracting opportunities for minority owned firms, simplifying regulations that disproportionately burden small businesses, and finally, revising and strengthening programs at SBA, the Small Business Administration and the MBDA - the Minority Business Development Agency - that directly support our community.
Finally, expanding the opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses on a global scale. USHCC works to ensure HPE or Hispanic Business Enterprises can compete and succeed in international trade. We are a strong entrepreneurial community, but we have to ensure the rules of the game favor us.
As you may know, this year is the review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, USMCA. This year, the three governments are negotiating changes to the agreement, seeing what is working and what needs to change to benefit businesses and our trade relationships. Just this Monday, US HCC submitted comments to help guide us negotiators and ensuing Hispanic owned businesses are given the consideration we deserve in deciding trade policies that impact us.
In conclusion, the USHCC is rooted in one simple truth: when Hispanic entrepreneurs succeed, America succeeds.
America's economic strength depends on the success of its diverse entrepreneurs. Immigration reform, entrepreneurship, small business support and international trade are not separate issues. They are interconnected pillars of a strong economy. Because, when we open doors for Hispanic businesses, we open doors for all Americans.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was provided by Anthony J. Hinojosa, vice president of government and international affairs for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He made the remarks in the keynote address at the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's MANual for Success Conference & Expo 2025. The event was held at the Memorial Event Center in Edinburg on Nov. 5, 2025.
