| WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the past few weeks, business leaders in Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas participated in a series of events to highlight the importance of protecting immigrant workers and strengthening the U.S. economy as part of FWD.us’ Protect America’s Workforce campaign. At five individual events held in the states, participants discussed how immigration policies directly impact their industries and regions and the need for solutions to meet the needs of America’s workforce and economy. Speakers at the events emphasized that immigrants are vital to maintaining America’s workforce and economic growth. Immigrants hold key roles across industries from construction to healthcare, contribute billions in tax revenue, and help keep supply chains strong. According to FWD.us’ recent Prices Report, without protections like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), over 2.6 million workers could be pushed out of the labor market, potentially costing U.S. families an extra $2,150 per year for goods and services by 2028. Overall, immigrant workers add hundreds of billions annually to the economy, and expanding legal pathways for them to live and work in the U.S. would strengthen communities, increase the workforce, and secure America’s long-term prosperity. “Across every event we held, business leaders delivered a consistent message: immigrants add needed skills, stability and economic value in the communities where they live and work,” said Mark Delich, Vice President of Government Relations at FWD.us. “Employers from Texas to Colorado to Georgia and Nevada described how workers who are already part of their teams help keep projects moving and support local growth. Ensuring they can continue working gives businesses more certainty and strengthens America’s long-term economic outlook.” | | The events that have been held as part of the campaign so far include: - On November 6, FWD.us hosted a business roundtable at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce to discuss the essential role immigrants play in Colorado’s economy and the urgent need to preserve their labor protections. Participants included members of the Colorado Business Roundtable, the Colorado Office of New Americans, the Colorado Association of Homebuilders, the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, Metro State University of Denver, and the Small Business Majority.
- In Georgia, on October 8, FWD.us joined the Georgia Chamber Foundation for their Trustee Luncheon, where trustees and other state leaders were able to collaborate on recent trends in trade policy, solutions to strengthen Georgia’s talent pipeline, legislative solutions under consideration in the Georgia General Assembly, and challenges and opportunities to modernize the global talent pipeline. At the event, Jaime Rangel, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us, presented to the group about the importance of immigration policies that allow global talent to support Georgia’s workforce.
- Also in Georgia, on November 7, Jaime Rangel presented at the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s (GHCC) Virtual Business Networking Group webinar regarding “America’s Workforce: Immigration Policy & Future of Georgia’s Economy.”
- In Nevada, on November 6, FWD.us and Dream Big Nevada hosted a panel discussion that included remarks from Congresswoman Susie Lee and Assemblymember Howard Watts on the importance of preserving existing protections for immigrants in the U.S. The event was attended by over 50 people, including business leaders, advocates, and other local leaders.
- In Texas, on November 14, FWD.us hosted a roundtable event to bring together members of the FWD.us Texas Bipartisan Immigration Reform Partnership and additional Texas business leaders to discuss the role immigrants play in Texas and the importance of preserving their existing protections. At the event, Zaira Garcia, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us, provided a state-of-play update and remarks on the importance of policies that allow immigrants to continue contributing to the state’s economic growth and workforce stability. Participants in the roundtable included voices from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the North Texas Commission, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Business Leadership Council, the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, and the Texas Restaurant Association.
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