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PRESS CONFERENCE:

Rep. Soto (D), State Rep. Rene Plasencia (R) and Business Leaders Urge Quick Action on Immigration Reform To Grow Economy and Keep Families Together

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 18 – 11 AM Eastern  – via ZOOM

Media registration here: https://bit.ly/FLPathForwardPressConference

A bipartisan group of participants will urge fast action on immigration reforms including pathway to citizenship for TPS Holders, Dreamers, farmworkers, and essential workers in the budget reconciliation bill set for votes next month.

Orlando, FL — IMPAC Fund, the Florida chapter of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), will convene a bipartisan press conference urging congressional approval of pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders, and essential workers. Participants will include business leaders, such as manufacturers, heads of local chambers of commerce, and members of the hospitality industry alongside members of Congress and other elected officials. The call for quick action is part of ABIC’s new seven-figure national campaign to ensure common sense immigration solutions are approved through budget reconciliation.

In the wake of this weekend’s devastating earthquake in Haiti and ongoing economic devastation in Venezuela, participants will discuss why TPS holders, including Venezuelans, Haitians, Sudanese, Somalians, Salvadorans, etc., are critical to growing Florida’s economy and the national GDP. Their presence here spurs job creation and raises the wage floor for all American workers. There are more than 60,000 TPS holders currently residing in Florida, with this number expected to grow as over 300,000 Venezuelans and 95,000 Haitians are now eligible for TPS. They earn more than $880 million in household income and pay over $89.4 million in state and local taxes.

The press conference will be held as momentum grows for enactment of immigration solutions. Last week, the Senate approved a budget resolution containing immigration provisions sought by business leaders, farmers, and immigrants rights advocates to bring stability to the lives of immigrants seeking legal status and to the businesses that employ them. 

Last Friday, ABIC kicked off a seven-figure IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW! campaign to make the case that immigration reform is urgent, bipartisan, and belongs in the budget reconciliation.

Press conference details:

What: FLORIDIANS FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM PRESS CONFERENCE

When: WEDNESDAY, Aug. 18, at 11:00 AM Eastern

Where: Via ZOOM. Media may register here: 

https://bit.ly/FLPathForwardPressConference

Speakers:

U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-FL27

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-FL9

Rene Plasencia, State Representative, Florida State House (R-50)

Alfonso Vidal, President of Vidal Plastics

Nancy Navarro, Venezuelan-American Elected Official, Council-Member, Montgomery County, MD.

Lesly Simon, President, Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce

Khalid Muneer, President, Jupiter Properties and American Pakistani Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Idler Bonhomme, President, Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Orlando

Jorge Figueroa, President, Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida

Arianny Eduardo, Interim Executive Director, IMPAC Fund

Nikki Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

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. IMPAC Fund is the Florida chapter of ABIC. 

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