Immigration
Immigration issues continue to be a concern for Texas businesses, foreign governments and academic institutions as they engage talent from around the world to remain competitive in an increasingly global economy. The Austin Chamber recognizes the problems that exist and agree that comprehensive action should be taken at the federal level. We have historically supported national employer-based immigration policies and we support federal immigration reform which will give employers access to a legal workforce to meet legitimate business needs in all sectors of the economy.
Given that businesses need to have nationally consistent, comprehensive immigration standards, the Austin Chamber encourages the Texas state legislators to defer from policymaking at the state level and promote continued debate and national policy development at the federal level. We are hopeful that this debate will result in comprehensive immigration reform that will address both securing the international borders and the clear economic benefit of foreign workers to the Texas economy. In the interim, the Legislature should encourage adequate enforcement of existing federal immigration laws.
The latest U.S. Census found that nearly 40% of Austin area residents age 25 and over hold a bachelor’s degree, well over the national average of 27.5%.
