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This week, Congress returns to Washington, DC for the last few weeks before the November elections. Immigration reform remains a top issue and House and Senate staffers still report that for every call/letter they receive backing a comprehensive solution they receive 100 anti-immigrant calls.
Please continue to inform and educate your members of the importance of contacting Congress on Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
AGC has heard and seen recent comments from Members of Congress that the business community has not been vocal enough on this issue outside the beltway. It is time that Congress hear from employers who will be impacted by this legislation by sending op eds and letters to the editor of local media outlets, and attend town hall meetings in addition to calling and sending letters to Congress.
A new letter supporting comprehensive reform has been posted on the AGC Legislative Action Center [click here to view]. Please take a minute to review this letter and send a personal version on your letterhead to Congress. In addition please forward a link to your members, as we are all stakeholders in this debate.
Talking Points:
AGC supports comprehensive immigration reform that protects our national security as well as our economic security. For reform to truly work it must do more than just increase border security and internal enforcement.
Employers must be able to find a legal labor supply and employers must be able to rely on the documents and verification system that they will be forced to use.
The federal government is increasing enforcement on worksites around the country, yet employers remain dependent in using a cumbersome I-9 process to verify employee work eligibility. In addition, there is a shortage of workers in the construction industry as well as other sectors of our country. Increased enforcement without a new worker visa program could hurt efforts to increase construction employment.
The construction industry supports more border security and also realizes that employers must be part of the solution. However, reform that will truly work must take into account our labor needs and that construction employment has constantly increased at twice the rate of the rest of the economy. A new worker visa must be created to help construction companies get the workers they need when they are unable to find U.S. citizens to fill their jobs. In addition, the undocumented that are already here need to be identified and they need indisputable documentation of their work status.
By creating a system where they come forward, pay fines, learn English, pay back taxes, pass criminal background checks, and only then go to the back of the line for a potential green card is a meaningful penalty to pay.
The House and Senate must appoint conferees to the Immigration Bills, and begin develop compromise legislation.
Please contact Kelly Knott at knottk@agc.org or 202/547-4685 if you have questions on what is happening on this issue in Congress or Kelley Keeler at keelerk@agc.org on how we can help coordinate local media placement.
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Political Advertisement Paid by "Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy"
P.O. Box 7011 · Houston, Texas 77248-7011 · 713.869.8346 · info@tsiponline.com
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| Copyright © 2006 - Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy |
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