AUSTIN — On Friday, Dec. 1, Texas Hispanic leaders and businesses will participate in a summit hosted by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) to discuss the vital role Latino immigrants play in steering the trajectory of economic prosperity of Texas. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Texas State Capitol Auditorium.
The “Here to Work: Hispanic Immigrants and the Texas Economy” panel will discuss contributions of Hispanic Texans, who contribute:
- $465 billion to the state’s gross domestic income
- 40 percent of Texas’ economic growth between 2011 and 2021
- $4 billion in taxes, by 1.4 million undocumented Hispanic workers
- $33.9 billion in spending power
Juan Carlos Cerda, moderator and Texas State Director of the bipartisan American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), will lead a discussion on the “Here to Work” campaign that urges President Joe Biden to expand parole and provide work permits to long-term immigrant contributors who have worked and paid taxes for years or even decades, including over 277,000 undocumented Dreamers and 749,000 mixed-status families targeted by Senate Bill 4, which would forcibly separate United States citizens from their spouses and parents.
WHAT: TAMACC Hispanic Leadership and Business Summit Panel:
“Here to Work: Hispanic Immigrants and the Texas Economy”
WHO: Texas State Representative Ana Maria Ramos (D-Richardson)
Juan Carlos Cerda, moderator and Texas State Director, American Business Immigration Coalition
Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services, Texas Immigration Law Council
Oscar Silva, Dreamer and President, UNT Eagle Dreamers
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, 2:30 PM CST
WHERE: Texas Capitol Auditorium, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701