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Immigration

Meet Trump in the middle. Come to the table and protect 'dreamers.'

The time is now to enhance our security and promote economic opportunity.

Daniel Garza
Opinion contributor
Protesters in favor of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Pharr, Texas, on Sept. 5, 2017.

It is time to take the first step on immigration reform.

With no major reforms since 1986, our federal immigration laws must be updated. To enhance security, boost the economy, and deal fairly with immigrants seeking to build the American dream. For too long, Washington has avoided the hard work that comes with negotiating and compromising. 

In the absence of reform, the number of immigrants living outside of our laws has exploded. Our economy has suffered as employers who can't find willing U.S. workers have been prevented from hiring immigrants, or put themselves and their workers at risk by hiring them illegally. American families have struggled to navigate a complex immigration system that at times seems to make no sense. While these problems won’t be fixed overnight — or in one piece of legislation — it is time to begin to tackle this problem.

Addressing 'dreamers' first

These individuals were brought here as children. They know no other home than the United States — with many not even speaking the language of the country from which they followed their parents. They are law-abiding students, workers, and men and women serving in the armed forces. They are here trying to build better lives for themselves and their families, and they are making this country better, too.

Unfortunately, recent presidents of both parties have failed in efforts to work with Congress on a solution. President Obama encouraged Congress to pass a law — but ultimately took unilateral executive action: the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA).

President George W. Bush also sought congressional action — but the effort ultimately broke down amid partisan fighting.

With President Trump having expressed clear support for legislation to protect the dreamers, and with real prospects of agreement on enforcement provisions as well, there is a chance to pass legislation that will achieve this commonsense goal while helping enhance security and promote economic opportunity.

Reform will help our economy

The new year has begun with encouraging news on the economy. In the last half of 2017, our nation’s output grew at a rate greater than 3%. Reforming our immigration system is the right way to continue to boost the economy.

Right now, a mishmash of outdated and unworkable immigration laws hampers the competitiveness of American companies. And consider that without legislative action, U.S. employers will have to terminate nearly 7,000 DACA-participating employees every week — at a cost of $61 million each week.

Congress and the president have the opportunity right now to take the first step towards addressing these important issues: protecting dreamers, enhancing security, and boosting our economy.

Daniel Garza is the president of The LIBRE Initiative and former associate director of the Office of Public Liaison in the White House for the George W. Bush administration. Follow him on Twitter: @danielggarza

 

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