Document Actions
Day 2 Morning Session
Overview of Federal Legislation (Day 2 Morning Session)
Moderator: Rep. Phil Lopes, Arizona House Minority Leader
Sean Noble, Chief of Staff to John Shadegg (R-AZ), Representative of Rep.
Susan Collins, Legislative Director, Office of Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director, American Immigration Law Foundation
This group discussed the defeat of the Immigration Reform Bill in the Senate, and from their perspective, what they see for future options as the presidential campaign continues, and their sense of what parts of immigration reform are more likely to be addressed than others.
Sean Noble
Chief of Staff to Rep. John Shadegg
Sean Noble made the analogy of a worker in the sixties with a high school education accepting work for the low skilled worker. Today a young person would continue with their education and create the opportunity to build their own company. As a nation we have changed and grown, but there is still the need for a lower skilled work force. Sean spoke of his experiences as he spent time with Border Patrol Agents to better understand the issues that are such a strong part of Immigration reform in Arizona. House passed enforcement with no knowledge of how to deal with the people who come to our country to work. Sealing the borders will not solve the problem. Piece meal approach taken will only prolong and complicate the issues further.
Susan Collins
Legislative Director, Rep. Luis Gutierrez
Susan Collins discussed the debates between the senate and Congress leading to the rejection of the Immigration bill. She indicated the disappointment in Congress that they were unable to reach agreement and pass Immigration Reform Bill. A large audience felt the bill had a good chance to pass. It doesn’t seem that the Democrats and Republicans are willing to compromise. States are passing their own ordinances in an effort to deal with impact on local government and communities.
Benjamin Johnson
Executive Director, American Immigration Law Foundation
Ben Johnson offered his perspective on Immigration Reform. Current laws and system don’t make sense in a setting where there is no resolution on the issues related to labor and human resources. If immigration policies are to succeed we need to have serious dialogues that address the benefits to the United States labor force. In the sixties half of the US work force did not have a high level of education. Today that number is much lower, yet the economy continues to create jobs that require very little education. This results in employers turning to immigrant worker to fill the gap in the labor market. Immigration is a resource that has served our nation well but has been mismanaged over the past ten years.
