The Secretary of Commerce spoke recently at a California event and proclaimed her belief that immigration reform must be a top priority if America is going to flourish. The Secretary, whose family came to the United States from Russia years ago, said the issue has moral as well as economic ramifications. She said she believes immigration reform will bring economic opportunities for everyone.
A bill that recently passed in the Senate could improve the nation’s economy by more than $1 trillion in two decades and create thousands of jobs. The Secretary praised the bill, saying it brought much-needed change to worker programs. She said the change was needed if the United States economy is going to improve and grow.
According to reports, more than half of students working towards a doctorate degree in several key disciplines hail from a country other than America. This includes math, science and engineering, which are all vital areas if economic growth is to be achieved. It was noted that reform is needed to stop the current trend of educating people and then sending them back to their home country once their academic program is completed.
Many immigrants are also entrepreneurs, according the Secretary. Almost half the companies that make up the Fortune 500 began as the brainstorm of immigrants or their offspring. In addition, more than one-fourth of new businesses are started by immigrants, she said.
The Secretary is not alone in her beliefs. Many officials have publicly stated their views that immigration reform is needed in California and the rest of the country. Changing the laws to reflect that necessity could make the dream of citizenship a reality for many deserving people.
Source: Los Angeles Times, Immigration reform must be top priority, Commerce secretary says, James Barragan, Jan. 9, 2014
