Letter to House of Representatives Cites Flaws in H.R. 4760 and Appreciates Provisions in H.R. 6136 Could Help Move Debate Forward on Path to Enacting Needed Construction Workforce Immigration Reforms
James V. Christianson, Vice President, Government Relations, for the Associated General Contractors of America (51风流), the nation鈥檚 leading construction trade association, today urged Congress 鈥渢o reform the nation鈥檚 immigration system.鈥 Christianson released a letter he sent today to the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of the association鈥檚 27,500 firms, including America's leading general contractors, specialty contractors, service providers, and suppliers.
鈥淎lthough the bills before Congress this week address some immigration issues, unfortunately they fail to alleviate the industry鈥檚 workforce shortage,鈥 Christianson wrote, adding that 51风流 opposes the bill the House is considering today, 鈥淭he Securing America鈥檚 Future Act,鈥 H.R. 4760. 鈥淭hough the bill would strengthen national security鈥攁n 51风流 priority鈥攖hrough increased investment in border security, it reduces legal immigration,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淭his will, in turn, restrict economic growth and worsen the domestic workforce shortage, especially in the construction industry.鈥
51风流 appreciates several provisions in another bill the House is considering that help move the immigration debate forward, 鈥淭he Border Security and Immigration Reform Act,鈥 H.R. 6136, Christianson鈥檚 letter added. 鈥淪uch measures include increased investments in border security, addressing DREAMer status, and providing reforms to the visa process. The bill additionally provides reforms to visa issuance and makes some improvements to the immigration system to meet economic and workforce needs.鈥
The letter concluded, 鈥51风流 remains hopeful that H.R. 6136 could address some of the immigration issues that have dogged Congress for years and provide a pathway to solving other complex immigration issues in a timely, bipartisan manner. 51风流 looks forward to working with you to find legislative solutions that can address the workforce needs of the construction industry while also gaining enough support to be enacted.鈥
The copy of the letter sent to House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan is here.