The following letter on securing the American workforce was sent by the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to President Trump and members of Congress.
Members of the US Congress and President Trump,
On behalf of the 1,700 companies that make up the American Business Immigration Union, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the administration and members of Congress who took the need to take the broken immigration system seriously. The biggest concern among American voters, business leaders and workers is that it is essential to ultimately pass meaningful immigration reform and fix a system that has been breaking for decades.
There are 1.7 million open jobs in America, and there aren’t enough people to fill them. A devastating labor shortage means high prices for Americans, threatening our competitiveness. Throughout the industry, immigration constitutes a large part of our workforce. It’s 29% of construction, 20% of hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture, and 15% of healthcare. Without these important workers, many of our businesses struggle to float, and the cost of everyday items and services increases for Americans.
President Trump and Congress have a historic opportunity to ultimately resolve all issues that the previous administration could not resolve.
By staying in the US on hardworking immigrants and dreamers’ work permits and green cards, we can create a system that strengthens the US economy and secures communities by securing borders and deporting individuals who commit violent crimes. This week we are in Washington and urge our Congress and administration members to support the next pillar of policy:
Securing borders: Ensuring a safe and orderly border is important to maintaining public trust, supporting Lawfix rules, and supporting a broken immigration system. It is essential to boost the US competitiveness and promote economic growth. Reform and streamline the visa process so that businesses can attract and maintain talent from around the world, strengthen key industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare, and ensure America’s position as a global leader like its former state. A clear and practical work permit and green card process is important to ensure our workforce is and ensure that future migration is orderly and legal. They could not protect American families and citizens. The modern immigration system should allow foreign workers to be hired when American workers are not found, ensuring we remain competitive and create new job prospects for American citizens.
With your continued leadership and commitment, we believe we can achieve a new immigration system that benefits all Americans by strengthening our business and ensuring our workforce. We look forward to working with you to create a stronger economy and a safer future for our country.
From the heart,
Rebecca Schi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Union
Craig Duchossois, Duchossois Group, Inc. (TDG) Executive Chair
John Graham, Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings
Woody Hunt, Senior Chairman of Hunt Company
Bob Worsley, Chairman and CEO of Zenni Homes. Republican Senator (retired), Arizona
Harlan Crow, Chairman and CEO of Crow Holdings
Andrew Tisch, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Loews Corporation
Bill Kunkler, Executive Vice President, CC Industries
Chris Wallace, Chairman and CEO of the North Texas Committee
Massey Villarreal, Co-Chair of Comite100, CEO, Precision Task Group, Inc. The president of
Chairman of the Texas Business Association
Ben Koniff, Luke’s Lobster
Laurie Fisher, founder and CEO of the American Dairy Federation
Beverly Izinga, executive director and dairy farmer in New Mexico
Samsanchez, president and CEO of Third Coast Hospitality. solx; Board Member, National
Restaurant Association and Hispanic Energy
Matt Teagalden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association
Andy Johnston, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Bill Hammond, former CEO of the Texas Association
Farmer Bob Jones and Chef Garden Company
Mitch Tempus, Owner, Kenoa Company
Janille Baker, Owner, Baker Ranches Inc.
Michael Larson, Partner, Larson Farm Partnership
Lourdes Leon, President, Hispanic Florida State Chamber of Commerce
Raul Raymundo, CEO of the Revival Project
Keri Schmidt, CEO of Fort Bend Chamber
Dantegaleazzi, Executive Director of the Texas International Production Association
Steve Tobocman, Executive Director of New Solutions Group, LLC
Miren Oca, Executive Director of Ocaquatics Swim School
Ana Valdes, co-executive president of Latino donors
Deborah Bronk, President and CEO of Bigelow Institute for Marine Science
Manuel Betancur, CEO of Manolo’s Bakery
Gordon Quan, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Quan Law Group, PLLC
Mary Dominguez, President of the Hespanic Chamber of Commerce Gran Prairie
Stan Marek, CEO, Marek
Gary Ilagan, partner, von Ilagan, LLP
Jake Pearson, Owner, Pearson Nursery’s
Jorge Figueroa, Central Florida State Conference of Commerce in Puerto Rico
William Lucia, Chairman and CEO of Bill Lucia Associates
Chris Romer, President and CEO of Bale Valley Partnership
Andrew Martinez, CEO of the European Chamber of Commerce in Texas
Stella Bustos, Owner, Thera Pillows Company
Jenni Tilton-Flood, Owner, Flood Brothers, LLC
Owner Natasha Winnik produces natural building materials
Galvan Strategy Group, CEO and Managing Partner, CRISTAL GALVAN
Ray Gutierrez, Principal of Houston Construction Services
John Martinez, Chairman of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association
Barb Hocker, director of the Galena Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hans Breitenmoser, Farmers, Golden Dawn Farms
Cheryl Koon, president and CEO of South Chester County Chamber of Commerce
Mike Murphy, president and CEO of Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Carla Colin, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce
Santosh Mody, President, Excel Hospitality Inc.
Bert Yen, retired CEO and President, SB Yen Management Group
Yuri Cunza, CEO of the Nashville Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Carol and Gordon Segal, Seagull Family Foundation
David Hiller, former CEO of the McCormick Foundation
Estefania ROA, LB Hall Enterprises, Inc. president
Eddie Monroy, Board of Directors, Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Reuben Marcado Jr., IPSUM General Contractor, LLC President
Elvia Quintanira, owner of Texas Technical Trade School
Jerry Morales, Owner, JNC Casitas Inc.
Leading Age
Eddie Mendoza, owner, HTX modification
Melany Laplander, Owner, Group Seven
CEO and chairman of Jr Gonzales, CEO and chairman of the Texas Mexico Association
Commercial
Noah Comerford, president and CEO of Pueblo’s Latino Chamber of Commerce
Melissa Taylor, CEO, Smallfish Big Fish Swim School
Robert Hubbard, Owner, Hubbard Family Swim School
Ann Tosovsky, Farmer, Home Nursery, Inc.
Karen Clay, Owner, Swimming & Gym, LLC
Sebastian Errazuriz, CEO, Atititud Lab
Dave Kustin, Owner, Element m
Justin Ford, founder of Pax Properties, LLC
Lulu Maynard, owner, Grace Tavern
J Doug Pruitt, former CEO of Sundt Construction
Jurges Family, Caribou Chalet Inc.
Michelle Wilkerson, President, Better Palette Inc.
Kevin Mora, Owner, Mora/V Services
Liliam Lopez, president and CEO of the South Florida Hispanic Office
Kimberlaning, CEO of local Fast Rezona
Daniel Jacobs, Owner, Dundan Restaurant
Divyesh Gopal, Lawyer, Gopal & Pedigo, PC
Juan Jose Amell, founder and administrator of Amell Law Firm, PLLC
Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
Ivan Giraido, President’s Cleanscape
