NC BUSINESS AND FAITH LEADERS TO SEN. TILLIS (R – NC): WHEN WILL YOU START STANDING UP FOR THE NC ECONOMY AND STOP ATTACKING IMMIGRANTS?
Instead of working on popular common sense solutions to fix the immigration system and grow the economy, Tillis embarks on destructive path for upcoming budget debate with 163 harmful immigration amendments (and counting)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Carolina business and faith leaders from the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) denounce immigration amendments filed by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) to the Budget Resolution that would harm the NC economy, and immigrant workers who are the backbone of the state’s agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality industries.
As of this morning, Sen. Tillis had filed 163 destructive amendments — and the number could rise — that ignore some basic facts in his state. In North Carolina:
- Undocumented household income: $6.6 billion
- Taxes paid: $721.9 million
- State & local taxes: $292.4 million
- Federal taxes: $429.5 million
- TOTAL SPENDING POWER: $5.9 billion
Providing pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and essential workers would bring certainty to the lives of immigrants without permanent status and also to the businesses that employ them, and raise the wage floor for all Americans. These provisions also are popular among voters – 72% American voters support sensible immigration solutions, not political gamesmanship.
Just yesterday, Republican political and business leaders sent a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders calling for immigration reform to be included in Democratic-led budget reconciliation process, because they recognize the urgency of getting this done for the good of our economy and families. If Republicans like these can support common sense immigration reform, when will Senator Tillis lead?
“Many of these amendments are hateful and economically foolish,” said Martin Eakes, Self Help Federal Credit Union President and CEO, and ABIC North Carolina Co-Chair. “Withholding funding for states that provide in-state tuition and/or health care services for undocumented immigrants? We call on Sen. Tillis to stop playing politics with immigration and instead work for common sense solutions like a pathway to citizenship which would boost our economy and is supported by 72% of Americans.”
“If Sen. Tillis could set aside his divisive, anti-immigrant sentiment and pay attention to common sense solutions, labor shortage across the state, dreamers and farm workers who live their lives in limbo, he would realize that his budget amendments would cause great harm to North Carolina economy and the entire nation,” said Rebecca Shi, ABIC Executive Director. “We call on Senator Tillis to stand up for the North Carolina economy and the majority of American voters who support solutions.”
“Senator Tillis’ anti-immigrant amendments are hateful, divisive, and mean spirited and they have no place in an honest debate on immigration reform. Not only are Senator Tillis’ amendments in the budget bill an affront to Dreamers and millions of hardworking immigrants who are contributing to the economy and our communities, they are at odds with where the public, business and farm leaders are,” said José Hernández-Paris, Executive Director of the Latin America Coalition of Charlotte.
While it is not yet clear which of Tillis’ amendments — if any — will actually get to the senate floor for votes, ABIC urges the Senate to reject them without consideration.
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.
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