Chamber Joins Key Senators and Business Leaders in Urging Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Elizabeth Dickson, chair of the US Chamber's Immigration Policy subcommittee and head of Immigration Services for Ingersoll-Rand, issued the following statement today at a press conference with Senators McCain (R-AZ), Kennedy (D-MA), Graham (R-SC) and Salazar (D-CO) and key advocates from religious, labor, and business groups to discuss the importance of comprehensive immigration reform:

"With first hand knowledge of the practical problems companies face under our current immigration laws it is clear that the current system is broken and it is time for Congress to act in a rational, comprehensive manner. This country faces long term worker shortages across all skill levels, and we need expanded temporary worker programs which employers can use when U.S. workers are not available. We also need to address the many undocumented workers in this country who are working hard and contributing to our economy.

"We can meet these goals while concurrently improving border security, and toughening up employee verification procedures which require that employers confirm that workers are authorized to work in this country. As the President has discussed, we must address these issues in a comprehensive, overall manner, not piecemeal."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and regions.

www.uschamber.com

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