The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce threw its support Tuesday behind a bipartisan plan in Congress to save the “Dreamers” from deportation while also increasing border security.
The legislation drafted by Reps. Will Hurd, a Texas Republican, and Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat, would allow undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children to get in line for green cards and eventual citizenship, while increasing border security through both technology and physical barriers.
“The proposed bipartisan legislation is a viable compromise which addresses concerns from the differing viewpoints on immigration and makes positive strides on border security in a way that does not hamper trade,” said Paola Avila, the chamber’s vice president of international business affairs.
Avila said immigrants are “crucial to the success of the nation’s economic growth” because they expand the workforce and start new businesses.
She said the Dreamers, some 1.3 million individuals protected from deportation until March 6 under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, earn nearly $20 billion annually and contribute $3 billion in taxes.
“The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to take action now and seriously consider this well drafted compromise,” Avila said. “The future of our national economy depends on it.”
Hurd’s district covers 800 miles of border, from El Paso to San Antonio, while Aguilar’s represents parts of fast-growing San Bernardino County.
