I’m fairly certain we’ve all seen the social media debate that’s been raging over US immigration policy lately. From what I’ve seen, it typically starts with the posting of a meme or a news item. Then a couple of replies are posted expressing agreement. Soon, opposing views start popping up sparking retorts, name-calling, insults, retractions, re-postings, and, as is often my case, a discretionary retreat as the better part of valor.
Of course, not all online discussions over immigration follow this pattern. Many remain civil and accommodating.
The question that I’ve been bringing up in my replies is, “How does this affect you?”
One answer to that question is coming from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). A recent press release says the AGC is urging Congress to pass legislation to reform the immigration system. In a letter to US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the Vice President of Government Relations for the AGC, James Christianson, lobbies for an immigration bill that helps to alleviate the workforce shortage that exists among the nation’s general contractors, specialty contractors, service providers, and suppliers that the AGC represents.
Christianson voiced outright opposition to The Securing America’s Future Act, HR 4760, saying, “Though the bill would strengthen national security—an AGC priority—through increased investment in border security, it reduces legal immigration. This will, in turn, restrict economic growth and worsen the domestic workforce shortage, especially in the construction industry.”
He did express appreciation for several provisions in The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, HR 6163, saying, “Such measures include increased investments in border security, addressing DREAMer status, and providing reforms to the visa process. The bill aditionally provides reforms to visa issuance and makes some improvements to the immigration system to meet economic and workforce needs.” He continued, “While the bill also cuts some existing legal immigration programs, it provides an avenue for additional legislative action on needed reforms. Those necessary reforms include a pathway toward earned legalization, extending work authorization for individuals with Temporary Protective Status, and creating a temporary guest worker system that would respond to market and economic needs.”
Our industry is hungry for immigration reform. Christianson’s letter points to a system that hasn’t changed or improved for years and has contributed to a massive need for workers. The correspondence also emphasizes the need for Congress to act now.
Christianson writes to Speaker Ryan, “The current system has been broken for decades, has placed national security in jeopardy, and has left millions of unauthorized workers in the United States without the ability to lawfully work. The inability of Congress to reform our nation’s laws has left the construction industry facing a historic workforce shortage, which is compounded by the lack of any legal immigration process for construction employers to fill needed jobs. Although the bills before Congress this week address some immigration issues, unfortunately they fail to alleviate the industry’s workforce shortage.”
You may be entrenched in your own views and thoughts on how to handle immigrants showing up at the border. I wouldn’t doubt that those opinions stem from concern and love for your family and friends, your job, and your nation.
This thoughtful appeal to the US Speaker of the House may or may not line up with those thoughts and views, but it does offer a perspective from a group that represents more than 27,500 construction firms in our industry. Having that in common may lead us to more calm discussion amongst ourselves, which could even lead to a more civil discourse in those social media debates.
What effect has immigration had on your job sites? Does it change your opinions on what needs to be done with immigration reform? Please let me know at [email protected].
