More than 600 fly to DC to Lobby for Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON – More than 600 business, religious, law enforcement and government leaders from roughly 40 states flew into Capitol Hill this past month for a lobbying blitz aimed at pressuring lawmakers to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Laura Ortega, Executive Director of the International Business Council at the Illinois Chamber, joined this national coalition of activists, many being self-described conservatives, to meet with members of Congress and urge them to move broad legislation that includes an increase in border security, an overhaul to the visa system and green card reform, an effective federal employment verification system and a way for most undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to earn citizenship. Last month’s “fly-in” came as a second House Republican backed a Democratic-led comprehensive bill that mostly resembles the sweeping legislation that passed the Senate in June.

“The time is now. We need to deliver a message of urgency,” Margaret Mimms, the sheriff in Fresno County, California, told a crowd at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Most of the people who flew in from nearly 40 states for the lobbying effort met with Republicans, since GOP lawmakers are in the best position to press House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to tackle the issue before the end of the year. Ms. Ortega scheduled in-person meetings with key House leaders from Illinois including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-16th District), Rep. Aaron Schock (R-18th District), Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-17th District), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10th District) and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-8th District).

Ortega, also an immigrant from Spain and European of Counsel for Delaney Law (a Chicago-based litigation firm), stressed the urgency to schedule a vote on the issues as business opportunities are often lost in the immigration debate.

“Immigration System Reform must be conducive to economic growth and social development,” said Ortega. “Employers want our government to work efficiently to improve commerce, global trade and investment. Having a stable and reliable immigration system is a must to maintain U.S. Economy’s competitive advantage.”

The issue has attracted a broad coalition that stretches across the usual U.S. political lines. Farmers and high-tech firms say they can’t find enough qualified workers under the current quota system for immigrants, while Latinos and liberal groups are pushing for legal status for the 12 million who currently live in the U.S. without authorization. Business groups such as the U.S. Chamber and labor unions such as the AFL-CIO have set aside their usual differences to press for a broad overhaul of immigration laws.

Organizations that collectively participated in the “fly-in” include: The Partnership for a New American Economy Bibles, Badges and Business for Immigration Reform; U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and FWD.us, a pro-reform group founded by leaders of high-tech companies including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The Illinois delegation comprised, among others, representatives of the Illinois Farm Bureau and Caterpillar, members of different churches and community organizations such as World Relief and the Evangelical Immigration Table as well as CEOs and entrepreneurs from tech companies and star ups, including Chicago’s 1871 and the IL Science & Technology Council.

Advocates say they plan is to keep the pressure on Congress to act between now and the end of the year.

“Immigration reform remains a top priority for the business community, and the chamber and our partners will continue to do everything we can to make the case for reform this year,” said Bruce Josten, executive vice president for government affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

This is a call to action for Illinois Chamber members. The time for Reform is now.