Richmond, Va.— Virginia Organizing released a report today revealing the cost to Virginia's economy as a result of Congress’ delay on immigration reform.  The report, authored by the Main Street Alliance, a national small business network, shows Virginia is losing $82.3 million in Gross State Product (GSP) and 916 jobs for every month Congress delays passing comprehensive immigration reform.

 

Virginia Organizing has called on U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to allow a vote on comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

 

Richmond small business owner Kevin Wilson said, “Virginia small business owners really need Majority Leader Cantor to be a leader on the issue of immigration reform. Delaying comprehensive immigration reform legislation only hurts Virginians and costs our economy jobs and money.”

 

Wilson is one of many business owners across Virginia to support comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. Local businesses in South Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Louisa, Orange, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and more have posted signs in their local businesses to show public support for immigration reform.

 

Michel Zajur, President and CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, believes that comprehensive immigration reform is vital to businesses. Zajur said, “There are over 11 million undocumented residents in the United States, and they are already contributing to our economy, yet relegated to the shadows, unable to fully participate in ways such as home buying, filling critical jobs, pursuing higher education, and simply getting a driver's license. We need comprehensive immigration reform to bring these undocumented residents into legality, as well as provide the companies the talent they need to do business."

 

Small business owners are not the only ones who support immigration reform. A new poll shows that 70 percent of Virginians support a comprehensive immigration reform plan that includes a path to citizenship.

 

Virginia Organizing Chairperson Sandra A. Cook stated, “A strong majority of Virginians can see that immigration reform is needed now—why won’t our representatives listen to what we are saying? What more does Representative Cantor need?”

 

“Representative Cantor is only hurting his constituents, and all Virginians, by delaying comprehensive immigration reform,” said Cook. “He needs to be a voice for all of us and stop catering to special interests. Immigration reform is about families, our economy, and our future—not about politics.”

 

Congressman Cantor’s role as House Majority Leader gives him a unique opportunity to bring a comprehensive immigration bill to the floor for a vote, but he has refused.

 

Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia’s 6th Congressional District is also in a powerful position for immigration reform as the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Representative Goodlatte held a business roundtable on Thursday, November 7 where he reinforced his commitment to a piecemeal approach to reform.

 

“The piecemeal approach to immigration reform just is not what Virginians need right now,” said John Elledge, an attorney and small business owner in Representative Goodlatte’s district. “Congress is fighting over budget cuts and spending, but refuses to talk about comprehensive immigration reform—a policy plan that has been shown to increase revenue for Virginia and the U.S. Further delay certainly has human costs, but now economists have shown that real economic costs are accruing as well. It does not make sense to push a piecemeal plan when we have a comprehensive plan on the table that will secure the borders and provide a path to citizenship to help the 11 million undocumented immigrants and their families simultaneously.”

 

On October 24, police escorted leaders from Virginia Organizing and other groups out of his Glen Allen office after Representative Cantor’s staff refused to schedule a constituent meeting on immigration reform.

 

“We can’t wait on comprehensive immigration reform any longer,” said Cook. “The cost is too high.”

 

To interview a Virginia Organizing spokesperson, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.

 

Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.

The Main Street Alliance is a national network of state-based small business coalitions. Main Street Alliance and its state affiliates create opportunities for small business owners to speak for themselves on issues that impact their businesses and local economies. www.mainstreetalliance.org

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