Business and the Workforce
Immigrants not only bring diverse skills and perspectives to the U.S. workforce, they often fill employment gaps in crucial fields. We advocate for expanded work visas and related programs so our labor force can continue to benefit from immigrant workers and remain competitive in the global economy
Report: Immigration Bill Would Add Nearly 14,000 Jobs Per District
August 20, 2013 Jordan Fabian, ABC News The Senate’s immigration bill would add nearly 14,000 new jobs on average in each congressional district over the next decade, according to a new report. The new analysis is from the center-right American Action Network (AAN), which backs an overhaul of the… Read More
Bipartisan Immigration Group Recommends Pathway To Citizenship
August 15, 2013 Elise Foley, Huffington Post WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group including former governors and cabinet secretaries recommended on Thursday that immigration reform include a path to citizenship that begins with granting provisional status right away, rather than delaying the process until after enforcement and border security improvements are… Read More
Video – Immigration Reform: Making America Stronger
A new video from the Technology CEO Council reflects on President Ronald Reagan’s vision of America as a “shining city on a hill” that was bolstered by immigrants from around the world, and the positive impact that immigration reform promises for the nation’s future. Read More
McCain says immigration reform will create jobs
August 12, 2013 Bob Christie, The Kansas City Star PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain is trying to convince Arizona business leaders to support immigration reform by touting its impact on the state’s economy. McCain said Monday that giving the 11 million people in the country without legal status a path to citizenship… Read More
Immigration reform can let N.Y. benefit from world’s skills
Cornell University President David J. Skorton, Press Connects A growing number of Americans are coming around to an idea that the tech industry and other business groups have been promoting for quite a while: To fuel economic growth, especially in the tech sector, we need to make it easier for… Read More
Forging Consensus on Visa Program Critical to Crafting Effective Policy
A proposal being considered in the House revives the debate around the number of visas that would be allocated to less skilled workers, also known as “W” visas. In particular, Representatives Ted Poe of Texas and Raul Labrador of Idaho are working on an immigration bill that could double the number of visas of less skilled workers that the Senate settled on. Although the increased number could help address the labor shortage in some industries, this proposal would potentially cause a fracture in the consensus achieved between business and labor leaders who negotiated the levels that were included in S. 744. Ultimately, what is critical to success of a program depends on having the right players at the table ensuring both private and public interests are protected. Read More
Paul Ryan: Immigrants ‘Bring Labor to Our Economy So Jobs Can Get Done’
Nancy Cook, The National Journal July 25, 2013 In the past month, Rep. Paul Ryan, normally so focused on fiscal matters, has shifted his attention to immigration. He isn’t pitching reform as a humanitarian or budget-cutting move, though other advocates say it would be both. Instead, the House Budget Committee… Read More
How States And Local Economies Benefit From Immigrants
Detroit usurped Jefferson County, Alabama’s place last week as the largest municipality in the United States ever to file for bankruptcy. And as signs increasingly pointed toward the city’s financial issues, local leaders in Southeast Michigan have been exploring ways in which to stabilize or strengthen Detroit’s economy. One way to do that is to encourage more immigrants to settle there. New restaurants, shops, and residents already have helped to revitalize one area in Southwest Detroit called Mexicantown. And there is no doubt that immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators play an important role throughout Michigan as well. Immigrant entrepreneurs create jobs, bring in additional revenue, and contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Highly skilled immigrants are vital to the state’s innovation activities, spurring further growth. As such, local leaders and advocates recognize the importance of immigrants in their communities and support immigration through local “welcoming” and integration initiatives. Read More
Immigration Reform an Imperative for Cities and Metropolitan Areas
Metropolitan leaders from around the country made the case for immigration reform at an event hosted by the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program today. Over 80 percent of the U.S. population, including 95 percent of immigrants, now live in metropolitan areas; cities and towns across the country therefore have a huge stake in passing immigration reform. In fact, panelists agreed that comprehensive immigration reform is an imperative for metropolitan areas. “We need an immigration system that is keeping with the times,” stated Audrey Singer, a Senior Fellow with Brookings. Read More
Immigration Reform Fattens State Economies, Too
“Should the United States be pro-immigrant?” asked Tax Watchdog Grover Norquist. “That’s like asking whether McDonald’s should make hamburgers. It’s made the United States work for several hundred years. It’s what’s made us different, what’s made us more successful,” said Norquist during a recent call summarizing a new report from Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) on the economics of immigration reform. Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
