07/ 25/ 2007
The U.S. Senate, by a vote of 46–53, failed to vote to end debate on major legislative overhauls of our nation's immigration policy, effectively killing the measure for the foreseeable future.
In May, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators announced agreement on an immigration reform package, for which most of the Senate leadership and President Bush quickly announced their support. While we applauded the hard work that lawmakers put into this compromise effort on an important issue, the package required a close inspection.
Elements of the deal met with our approval. NFIB members fully support stronger border security and welcome the inclusion of seasonal workers under the H-2B visa program to meet the hiring needs of the business community. However, NFIB would not support any bill that lacked an employee verification and compliance system that recognizes the differences in size and infrastructure of large and small businesses.
In June, NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer and NFIB Board Chairman Brad Eiffert brought the serious concerns small businesses had with this package to the White House in discussion with President Bush and two of his cabinet members, as well as other high-level staff.
In preparation for the debate, we conducted two extensive surveys of our membership on immigration and briefed lawmakers regarding the results, advocating for a more workable electronic employer verification system, an expansion of the legal guest worker programs and increased border security.
Members Sound Off
In preparation for the immigration debate, we conducted two extensive surveys of the membership on immigration and briefed lawmakers regarding the results:
Secure the borders. More than 90 percent of our members believe illegal immigration is a problem, and 86 percent say it should be a very high priority for Congress and the Bush administration. Our borders must be secured, even if it means additional money for inspectors and technology.
Enact a workable employer verification system. Eighty-three percent of our members believe employers who hire undocumented workers should be subject to fines. However, these fines need to be structured so that small-business owners can defend themselves and not be driven into bankruptcy. Small-business owners also want a workable verification system that contains appropriate phase-in times.
Support legal guest worker programs. Seventy-one percent of our members support legal guest workers for agricultural and other seasonal labor needs. We support efforts to expand the H-2B visa program.
