Famous Immigrants Who Changed America

Famous immigrants have shaped nearly every part of American life — science, technology, music, food, sports, politics, and business. The United States has always been a country built by people who came from somewhere else, and the contributions of immigrants are woven into the fabric of daily life in ways most people never think about.

Famous Immigrants in Science and Technology

Some of the most important scientific breakthroughs in American history came from immigrants:

• Albert Einstein (Germany) — Arrived in 1933 fleeing Nazi persecution. His theory of relativity transformed physics, and he later became a U.S. citizen and advocate for civil rights.
• Nikola Tesla (modern-day Croatia, then Austrian Empire) — Immigrated in 1884 and developed the alternating current (AC) electrical system that powers homes and businesses worldwide.
• Sergey Brin (Russia) — Came to the U.S. as a child with his family, who were fleeing antisemitism. He co-founded Google, now one of the most influential companies on earth.
• Elon Musk (South Africa) — Moved to Canada as a teenager, then to the U.S. for college. He went on to lead Tesla and SpaceX.
• Dr. David Ho (Taiwan) — Immigrated at age 12 and became a pioneering AIDS researcher. TIME magazine named him Man of the Year in 1996.

Einstein’s story is particularly relevant to the refugee conversation. He fled persecution — just like the families arriving in Dallas today from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Ukraine. The difference between a “refugee” and an “immigrant” often depends on timing and legal definitions. Our guide to refugee vs. immigrant vs. asylum seeker explains these distinctions.

Famous Immigrants in Arts and Culture

American culture would be unrecognizable without immigrant contributions:

• Gloria Estefan (Cuba) — Her family fled the Castro regime when she was a toddler. She became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with hits like “Conga” and “Get On Your Feet.”
• Irving Berlin (Russia) — Arrived at age five and became the songwriter behind “God Bless America” and “White Christmas.” He never learned to read music.
• Yo-Yo Ma (France, of Chinese descent) — Moved to New York at age seven and became the world’s most celebrated cellist.
• Lupita Nyong’o (Mexico, of Kenyan descent) — Born in Mexico, raised in Kenya, and became an Academy Award-winning actress in the U.S.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger (Austria) — Immigrated in 1968, became a bodybuilding champion, Hollywood star, and Governor of California.

Famous Immigrants in Business and Industry

Immigrants start businesses at higher rates than native-born Americans, and some of the country’s largest companies were founded by immigrants or their children:

• Andrew Carnegie (Scotland) — Arrived in 1848 as a poor teenager. He built the American steel industry and became one of the wealthiest people in history, then donated the modern equivalent of billions to libraries, universities, and public institutions.
• Levi Strauss (Germany) — Immigrated during the Gold Rush and founded the denim company that bears his name.
• Arianna Huffington (Greece) — Co-founded The Huffington Post and later built Thrive Global.
• Hamdi Ulukaya (Turkey) — A Kurdish immigrant who founded Chobani yogurt in upstate New York and has been a vocal advocate for refugee employment. Chobani’s workforce includes a significant number of refugees.
• Do Won Chang (South Korea) — Immigrated in 1981 and founded Forever 21, growing it into a global fashion retailer.

These success stories are not anomalies. According to the New American Economy, immigrants or their children founded 45% of Fortune 500 companies. Immigration is not just a humanitarian issue — it is an economic engine.

What These Stories Tell Us About Immigration Today

Every famous immigrant was once a newcomer — disoriented, adjusting, and starting from zero. Einstein arrived with a suitcase. Carnegie arrived in steerage class. Sergey Brin arrived as a six-year-old who did not speak English.

The same is true for the families arriving in Dallas today. They may not become household names, but they will raise children, start businesses, pay taxes, and strengthen their communities. Dallas is one of the top U.S. cities for refugee resettlement, welcoming families from Myanmar, Afghanistan, the DRC, Syria, and Ukraine. Learn more about refugee resettlement in Dallas.

Be Deliberate has completed 490+ furniture deliveries to newcomer families across DFW. A bed, a dining table, a couch — these basics help families focus on what matters: learning English, finding work, enrolling kids in school, and becoming part of the community.

How You Can Help

Behind every famous immigrant is a story of starting over. Be Deliberate supports today’s newcomers in Dallas-Fort Worth with the furniture they need to begin building their American story.

• Donate Furniture — Free pickup across Dallas-Fort Worth
• Volunteer — Help deliver and set up furniture for refugee families
• Give Financially — Fund warehouse operations and welcome home kits