U.S. Chamber of Commerce - December 7 - Chamber Engages State and Local Officials on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today held an "open dialogue" on immigration to jump start the debate on how businesses and state and local officials can work together in the absence of federal comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Business leaders, state representatives, and immigration experts also examined the economic impact of states passing their own immigration laws.

"We want to come together in a spirit of cooperation to improve the dialogue between businesses and state and local officials on this important topic," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue. "Getting federal comprehensive immigration reform passed in the future will require that businesses and elected officials at every level work together."

While the Chamber believes local attempts to regulate immigration is counterproductive, Donohue recognized that undocumented immigrants can place a difficult cost burden on some border communities and states. "But we believe states and localities should resist the short-term fix of passing their own ordinances," he said.

The Chamber also released an independent report titled "Assessing the Economic Effects of State Laws Addressing the Employment of Foreign-Born Unauthorized Workers." Commissioned by the Chamber, the National Association of Home Builders, and the National Roofing Contractors Association it looks at the demographics of five states- Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania- and the economic effects of the very different laws passed in each state.

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