But they're going to - you saw a couple of openings - big openings in Michigan. Chrysler Fiat just announced that they're going to spend $4.5 billion in Michigan around the Detroit area. We have a tremendous number of not only car companies coming in; we have a lot of car companies coming in. They're coming in, they're building new, but they're also expanding. And they're going to Pennsylvania. They're going to Ohio. Very heavy in Michigan. South Carolina, North Carolina - all over.
We have - we have companies coming into this country at a record pace, and really at a pace that nobody thought possible because nobody thought you'd ever see these particular companies again. Many of them are coming back. They want to be where the action is. They're coming back. They left years ago - I used to talk about it as a civilian. But they left years ago, and now they're coming back, and they're coming back in numbers that nobody believes.
So we're going to let a lot of people come in because we need workers. We have to have workers. Unemployment at 3.7, 3.6, probably. These are low numbers. And, in one way, I love it. But, in another way, I don't want to make it hard for you to get those companies rolling with really great people. Because without the great people, it doesn't work. All of these wonderful things we talk about are nice, but you need the great - as you discussed, Juanita, you need the people and you need really good people. And we have great people. And we have the best in the world, in my opinion. And we are having other people come into our country that you're going to be very proud of and the job they do.
One of the things that has happened - and people don't talk about it - but because of the great economy, we have a prison population that, for the first time ever, is getting a shot at working. When they got out of prison, they had a stigma, and it was a tough stigma. And, in many cases, there was not much they could do; they couldn't get a job. They couldn't - no matter what, they couldn't get a job. And now they're getting jobs because our economy is so strong because you want workers.
And I've spoken to at least six big employers, and they are loving what they see. They cannot even believe how good some of these people are. Not in all cases, I guess, but you can say that about everybody - but how great they have been. And it's very nice to hear. First time ever. The first time that's ever happened. And to a large extent, it's because we take some credit because of the economy.
But it's an incredible thing what's happening with respect to the prison population. They're getting out, they're getting jobs, and they're doing a fantastic job. And it's really beautiful to see.
I just want to - and many of you are friends - I just want to thank you all for what you've done. I also want to thank Doug McMillon, the CEO of WalMart. They have been fantastic, Ivanka, I know that - because they've just hired tremendous amounts of people. And William McDermott of SAP. They have really stood out. And they - they're very special people. And I just want to thank them, in addition to the folks around the table.
And again, thank you all for being here. Thanks for the incredible job you've done. We appreciate it very much. And, Tim, thank you very much.
MR. COOK: Thank you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: And thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. Thank you. Press, thank you. Appreciate it.
Q Mr. President, how much more immigration would you like to see in this (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we're going to have a lot of people coming into the country. We want a lot of people coming in. And we need it. It's not a question of do we want it. These folks are going to have to, sort of, not expand too much. And if you tell them - these are very ambitious people around this table. They don't like the concept of not expanding. Would you say that's right, Barbara? Barbara is not into non-expansion.
So we want to have the companies grow. And the only way they're going to grow is if we give them the workers. And the only way we're going to have the workers is to do exactly what we're doing.
Thank you all very much. Appreciate it. Thank you. Please.
Q Can you comment on the T-Mobile-Sprint merger, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
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