Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition joins call for Congress to act now, beginning with Dreamers

The virtual march for immigration reform has broad-based support – leaders in the business, agriculture, education, tech and faith sectors; state and local elected officials; and top voices across the political spectrum. The campaign is launching as Congress negotiates a much-needed solution for recipients (i.e. Dreamers) in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Immigrant workers are important to companies of all sizes and types across the state. Hear firsthand in these videos on the need for immigration reform:

• John O’Reilly, vice president, Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping, Long Lake.

• Pat Lunemann, partner and general manager, Twin Eagle Dairy, Clarissa.

• Maha Tahiri, vice president, chief health and wellness officer, General Mills.

Perry Aasness, executive director of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council and a member of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, underscored the value of immigrants to Minnesota’s economy has said, “From our experience, it is clear that new American workers are critical to our state’s economy, and in particular, a wide variety of agriculture sectors. Agriculture is a driving force in Minnesota’s economy, and farmers and food producers rely on immigrant workers.”

The state coalition includes the Minnesota Chamber, Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, Hospitality Minnesota, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Midwest Food Processors Association, Minnesota Restaurant Association and Minnesota Lodging Association.

The nationwide campaign is spearheaded by the New American Economy, which brings together more than 500 Republican, Democratic and Independent mayors and business leaders who support immigration reforms that will help create jobs for Americans today.

NAE cited the impact of immigrants on Minnesota’s economy and the effect of the DACA-eligible population in the state as key reasons for Congress to take immediate action. In Minnesota alone, the positive economic impact of DACA-eligible recipients can be easily seen:

• There are as many as 9,973 DACA-eligible recipients in the state.

• Despite the rhetoric claiming undocumented youths are a drain on the Minnesota economy, 91.9 percent of the DACA-eligible population who are at least 16 years old are employed.

• Minnesota’s DACA-eligible population earns almost $154.8 million in total income annually.

• Minnesota’s DACA-eligible population contributes more than $24.1 million in total taxes annually, $12.2 million of which goes to state and local tax revenues.

At large, immigrants have substantial impact on the Minnesota economy:

• Immigrants pay $3.7 billion in taxes every year.

• Immigrant-owned businesses employ 52,932 people.

• Immigrants held $10 billion in spending power in 2016.

For more information on the iMarch Campaign, visit iMarch.us.

Bill Blazar is senior vice president of public affairs and business development at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.