Frances Cox or Eric Thomas 202/822-9491 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2009

Compete America Calls For Reasoned Debate
on Immigration Reform

Washington, D.C. – Compete America today urged groups on both sides of immigration reform to engage in a reasoned dialogue and to refrain from the type of confrontational tactics that will only lead to a more divisive debate on an already controversial issue.

Compete America Statement:

Legal immigration has always played a vital role in the growth of our country by providing a needed source of workers for industry and agriculture, as well as many of the great minds that have revolutionized our economy and driven U.S. growth.  While everyone seeks a solution to the growing problem of illegal immigration – it is vital that Congress and the public keep an open mind as the debate moves forward.

We heard this week from the Federal Reserve Chairman, who stated that the recession that has taken such a severe toll on the U.S. economy is “very likely over.”  While the road to full recovery will be tough, it’s time to make investments in our nation’s future.  This means more resources for education and worker training.  It also means keeping the doors open to the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, academics and other legal immigrants that have been so important to our economic growth in the past.

We look forward to a civil and productive debate on immigration reform in the coming months.

For more information on how highly educated immigration benefits America, please visit www.competeamerica.org. 

Compete America (www.competeamerica.org) is a coalition of corporations, educators, research institutions and trade associations concerned about legal, employment-based immigration and committed to ensuring that the United States has the highly educated workforce necessary to ensure continued innovation, job creation and leadership in a worldwide economy.

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