Maine Higher Ed and Business Leaders Call for Inclusion of Immigration Reform within the Budget Reconciliation Package
Portland, Maine — University and business leaders who have seen Dreamers succeed in college studies and in the workplace will join forces on Monday to call on Congress to ensure immigration reforms are included within the upcoming budget reconciliation package. The reforms would create pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and essential workers.
The presidents of St. Joseph’s College of Maine and University of New England will also release a letter signed by the Maine Independent Colleges Association to Maine Sens. Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) urging them to renew their previous ardent support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) permit holders and Dreamers in current congressional discussions on immigration reform.
With a stand-alone DREAM Act proposal stalled, the speakers will ask the senators to support the proposed citizenship programs in the reconciliation bill.
Press conference details:
What: ME Higher Ed. & Business Leaders Back Immigration Reform in Budget Bill
When: Monday, Aug. 30 – 11:15 a.m. EST
Where: Via ZOOM. Media may register here: https://bit.ly/ABICIRME
Speakers:
James S. Dlugos, Ph.D., President, St. Joseph’s College of Maine
James D. Herbert, Ph.D., President, University of New England; Member, Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee
David Barber, Tyson Foods; Former President and CEO, Barber Foods; Board Member, ABIC; Board President, MeBIC
Adele Masengo Ngoy, Owner, entrepreneur, Adele Masengo Designs, and Antoine’s Formal Wear and Tailor Shop
Beth Stickney, Esq. Executive Director, Maine Business Immigration Coalition
ABOUT
The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) promotes common sense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens. ABIC is active in key states and communities across the country engaging activists, advocates, business leaders and elected officials on the urgency of passing immigration reform that boosts our economy, creates jobs, eases the labor shortage and supports families.
The Maine Business Immigration Coalition (MeBIC) is Maine’s only resource dedicated to providing information, education and advocacy on immigration and related issues for and from the business and economic perspective.
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