State’s business, agriculture leaders back immigration bill
Proposed immigration legislation drew support from many Arizona business leaders and economists, who said it would boost the economy by increasing the supply of skilled and unskilled workers — but also provide safeguards for American job seekers and fines for non-compliant employers.
“The business community for years has wanted Congress to deal with all the important elements of immigration together in one package,” said Glenn Hamer, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “This is a bulls-eye — it’s exactly what the business community in Arizona has been wanting for a long time.”
Supporters of the bill include economic-development officials, leaders of trade associations, academics and the head of the United Farm Workers labor union. They’re focused on the ability to bring in more foreign workers, especially in highly skilled engineering and technical fields, as well as additional agriculture workers.
In a statement, the National Association of Manufacturers reacted by saying the immigration plan “contains all of the main pillars needed to move forward, including recognition of status for those living in the United States, increased access to the highly skilled individuals who drive research and production, a new program to address future workforce needs for differing skill levels, a more robust verification system and increased border security.”
Economic boost
Overall, the bill moves the nation toward a less-restricted labor market, which should be good for businesses and for economic growth, said Dennis Hoffman, a professor of economics at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. “I see the economic benefits significantly outstripping any costs,” Hoffman said.
Open labor markets create more jobs, consumer spending and other opportunities, he added, including businesses started by entrepreneurial immigrants.
Adding skilled workers
The proposed bill would allow more skilled immigrants to work in the United States, particularly in high-demand science, engineering, math and technology fields.
It would expand the H-1B visa program by raising the annual base cap to 110,000 from 65,000, with the potential to go as high as 180,000. The cap could rise or fall depending on demand for highly skilled workers.
The bill also would include provisions to keep H-1B workers from undercutting the wages of Americans. For example, companies would be required to pay higher wages to H-1B workers than under current law and would first need to advertise these jobs, with their higher wages, to Americans. There also would be fines for companies with particularly high concentrations of H-1B employees.
Barry Broome of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council said he was disappointed that the proposal calls for continued caps on H-1B immigrants, even at higher levels. “The U.S. could absorb 2million right now,” said Broome, the group’s president and CEO. “Every industry I know is starving for technical talent.”
Businesses accountable
In addition, the legislation would impose certain obligations on businesses. For example, it would require all employers to use the E-Verify system to authenticate workers. Large employers with more than 5,000 workers would need to be using E-Verify within two years, with all employers on board within five years.
One new feature of the E-Verify system would require non-citizens to show a biometric work-authorization card, or green card, featuring photos that would be stored in the E-Verify system. Employers would need to certify that the photos match their workers.
“Arizona requires E-Verify, and it’s completely appropriate to scale it up nationally,” Hamer said. “Arizona companies use it, and by and large it works effectively. It’s time for the other 49 states to play by the same rules.”
The legislation also would create a new classification of less-skilled workers, who would apply for W visas. A statistical Bureau of Immigration and Labor Market Research would be formed. Among other things, it would identify occupations where such workers are needed and help determine an annual number of permitted workers, alleviating shortages in fields that could include health care and hospitality.
Harvest help
Farmers have fretted for years about the shortage of U.S. workers to harvest their crops.
The proposal would create a new legal status for undocumented agricultural workers who could show they have paid all taxes, haven’t been convicted of serious crimes and paid a $400 fine.
Agricultural interests reacted favorably. Kevin Rogers, president of the Arizona Farm Bureau, called the legislation a good first step that should help the agriculture industry ensure that it has an adequate labor force. He indicated workers would be treated fairly and noted that businesses have been cooperating with labor groups on immigration-reform issues.
The United Farm Workers also came out in support of the legislation. The proposal “fulfills the urgent need for an earned legalization program that enables undocumented farm workers who are the backbone of the nation’s agricultural industry to swiftly obtain legal immigration status,” said Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United Farm Workers, in a statement. “It will also stabilize the farm-labor workforce through incentives for immigrants to continue working in U.S. agriculture.”
The United Farm Workers predicted the bill would improve working conditions and job opportunities for farm employees while replacing the current agricultural guest-worker program with a “fresh visa program with important new protections for farm workers.”
If the agriculture provisions passed as is, “We would be pleased,” Rogers said.
Good for business
Hoffman said that U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona were among the leaders of the reform movement that could improve the state’s reputation on immigration.
“It sends a signal to the rest of the nation that Arizona is very much pro-business,” Hoffman said. “It’s changing the trajectory of the debate.”
Next week, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council will lead a delegation of more than 60 local political, business and community leaders to meet with federal lawmakers and others in Washington, D.C., with immigration reform one of the key topics for discussion.
The group will include Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
Reach the reporter at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8616.
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