Texas Border Business
Immigration has befuddled Washington for years, but Americans expect their leaders to come together on a solution. In this episode of Common Grounds, Chamber Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley talked about immigration reform with Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL).
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Why immigration reform matters. We haven’t had a comprehensive immigration bill since 1986, and it’s needed now. “If you see how our economy has changed, how the world has changed it makes you realize how overdue immigration reform is,” Rep. Manning said. “One of the reasons people come here is because there are jobs that we don’t have people to fill right now.”
“We need to reform immigration laws,” Rep. Salazar explained. “There are so many intelligent students that would love to stay in the United States and use their employable skill in our economy.”
Can immigration reform produce bipartisanship? Both Reps. Manning and Salazar recently voted for the American Dream and Promise Act, showing there are opportunities for bipartisanship on this issue.
“I have a deep sense of compromise in trying to find a solution,” Rep. Salazar said.
Rep. Manning agreed, saying, “I believe the vast majority of Democrats are ready, willing, and able to have broad-based immigration reform.”
How can businesses help drive immigration solutions? Tell your Members of Congress your stories, advised Rep. Manning: “Tell them what kind of people you’re having trouble hiring…. Explain what your needs are, and that you’re supportive of the immigration reform we need.”
Rep. Salazar agreed: “Tell them that you want an immigration reform law,” because “immigration is central to our well-being as a country and our future growth.”
Fun facts: Rep. Manning likes her coffee with sweetener and some milk, while Rep. Salazar goes for Cuban coffee with a lot of sugar.The U.S. Chamber is proud to partner on this event series with Compass Coffee, a fast-growing, proudly Washington DC-based coffee roaster founded by two Marines.
