James Scimecca, [email protected]
Jesse Dougherty, [email protected]
Colorado Immigration Reform Coalition Responds to the RAISE Act and Calls for Modernized System That Harnesses the Power of Immigrants
Coalition members cite immigrant contributions and call for a different approach that empowers foreign-born workers instead of limiting them
Denver, Colorado — Today, the Colorado Immigration Reform Coalition responded to the RAISE Act, new legislation sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.), and called for a revised solution that harnesses the economic power of foreign-born workers in the U.S. economy. The proposed bill was endorsed this week by President Trump, and called for a substantial limit to legal immigration.
While the coalition agrees on the need to modernize our broken immigration system with merit-based solutions, the bill contains a broad misconception that immigrants are hindering the wages of American workers. In fact, research has shown time and time again that foreign-born workers often act as key drivers of innovation and job creation, and do their part in filling the workforce gaps that the American economy faces with its ongoing aging crisis. Instead, the coalition is urging Congress to take an approach that harnesses the power of immigrants to create a streamlined process that attracts the best talent, builds the workforce needed to support America’s industries, and ultimately lays the groundwork for greater economic growth.
“Broadly closing our doors to immigrants does not help any of the challenges we face in today’s world economy. Since its founding, the United States has been a land of opportunity and inclusive of immigrants, their families and entrepreneurs creating the greatest economy that it is today.” said Clarence Low, president and CEO of the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Colorado. “We need to work together to improve our immigration system but do so in a way that doesn’t limit a large section of our economic contributors. They have been integral to our country’s success and will be so once again in our future.”
Jeff Wasden, President of the Colorado Business Roundtable and Coalition Member added: “Creating an economy that strengthens the wages of American workers should always be a central priority of Congress. But it would be a mistake to associate declining wage growth with immigrant contributions. Foreign-born workers are influencing the economy in the opposite direction – they are bringing in innovation that creates new businesses and opportunities that directly benefit American citizens. Their successes and entrepreneurial spirit should undoubtedly be part of the system’s solution. We need to work together to update our outdated immigration system.”
The state coalition is sponsored by New American Economy (NAE), a bipartisan organization that supports immigration reforms that help both American workers and immigrants build a better economy. The coalition utilizes local leadership roles and NAE’s detailed research on immigrants to create a constructive platform to discuss immigration reform with Congress.
Jeff Wasden, President of the Colorado Business Roundtable and Coalition Member added: “Creating an economy that strengthens the wages of American workers should always be a central priority of Congress. But it would be a mistake to associate declining wage growth with immigrant contributions. Foreign-born workers are influencing the economy in the opposite direction – they are bringing in innovation that creates new businesses and opportunities that directly benefit Americancitizens. Their successes and entrepreneurial spirit should undoubtedly be part of the system’s solution. We need to work together to update our outdated immigration system.”
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About New American Economy
New American Economy (NAE) brings together more than 500 Republican, Democratic and Independent mayors and business leaders who support immigration reforms that will help create jobs for Americans today. Coalition members include mayors of more than 35 million people nationwide and business leaders of companies that generate more than $1.5 trillion and employ more than 4 million people across all sectors of the economy, from Agriculture to Aerospace, Hospitality to High Tech and Media to Manufacturing. Learn more at www.NewAmericanEconomy.org.