U.S. Chamber President Addresses the Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

State and Local Attempts to Regulate Immigration Counterproductive

PHOENIX, ARIZONA-U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue stressed the need for a comprehensive, federal approach to immigration reform during a breakfast address in Phoenix, Arizona. Donohue's speech titled "Immigration: Where Do We Go From Here?" acknowledged that the current immigration system is broken and all the problems comprehensive reform were designed to address are growing worse.

"In the absence of comprehensive solutions from Washington, states and localities are filling the void with hundreds of their own rules and regulations, often contradictory, probably unconstitutional, and impossible for businesses to follow," said Donohue. "We must create a lawful, rational, and workable immigration system that secures our borders, protects the rights of businesses and immigrants, and addresses the urgent workforce needs of the nation."

In his remarks, Donohue stressed the need for Congress and the president to act immediately to address pressing visa shortages that are today damaging industries from high tech to agriculture. He also discussed the U.S. Chamber's participation in litigation against Arizona's new employer sanctions laws, and said that the organization would "continue to challenge unwise and probably unconstitutional state and local immigration ordinances." Donohue also urged Mexico and other Latin American countries to expand economic reform and progress, which will relieve the pressure for economic migration over the long term.

"Legal immigration is more than just a social value -it is an economic necessity," said Donohue. "The United States is producing more jobs than workers, and we need immigrants at all skill levels to balance the equation if we are to remain an economic superpower."

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.

The speech can be viewed by clicking here.

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