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The Start-up Founder Visa campaign has gained steam recently in its proposal to expand the existing EB-5 visa program so that the government could issue a U.S. green card to any company founder or entrepreneur who receives a set amount of private capital investment.

Organizers of the movement have pointed to several studies which they claim manifest the need for talented business-minded workers in key sectors of the American economy, IrishTimes.com reports.

A 2006 study by the U.S. National Venture Capital Association found that about 25 percent of every public venture company incorporated in the U.S. since 1990 had at least one immigrant founder.

These companies, which include household names like Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, eBay, Google and Intel collectively represent stocks and bonds valued at about $500 billion, according to the news source.

Additionally, a 2008 study commissioned by the U.S. Small Business Administration found that immigrants are almost 30 percent more likely to start a new business than U.S.-born citizens, and companies in the U.S. under foreign ownership have outperformed those launched by native Americans.

Currently, the EB-5 visa program allows foreigners who are willing to invest at least $500,000 in a U.S. company a way to live and work in the country, though immigration groups and lawmakers are actively looking to expand the requirements.