Key members of Oklahoma’s business and agricultural communities came together in support of comprehensive immigration reform and praised the immigration standards released by Speaker of the House John Boehner last week.
“We know that our immigration system in severely flawed. Our priorities need to be securing our borders and then creating a legal way to enter this country. Illegal immigration isn’t just a security issue; it has a huge economic impact as well,” said John Collison of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Our members regularly struggle with having the labor force they need, and the current system too often rewards those not playing by the rules.”
The principles released by Boehner hit on six areas: Border security and enforcement of laws must come first; implementing an entry-exit visa tracking system; a workable electronic employment verification system; reforming the legal immigration system to emphasize employment-based immigration; providing opportunities for children of immigrants; and requiring those living outside the law to get right with the law by achieving rigorous standards.
“Every day I work with businesses trying to meet their needs, and I can tell you, our current immigration system does not work. Companies need skilled and unskilled labor that can only be met through immigration. It’s time for the federal government to take action” said Meg Salyer, CEO of Accel Financial Services. Our current laws stifle the good and promote the bad. We have to be realistic and turn this around,” Salyer continued.
“Oklahoma employers want an authorized workforce and the citizens of Oklahoma want to eliminate the ugly underbelly of illegal immigration – reform of our current immigration laws would allow us to increase income tax revenue without increasing the personal income tax rate, while reducing the trafficking of workers into the United States,” said Jasmine Majid, a leading immigration law attorney.
“Having been the Speaker of a House, I know the type of courage it takes for John Boehner to make this move,” stated Kris Steele, Republican former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. “The truth is, America needs this reform and it needs it today. America needs this labor force and these immigrants and their families need these jobs. We must find a fair and legal way to make this happen. These principles are a great start,” Steele continued.
