Business Leaders Call for Immigration Reform

Business leaders from across South Carolina called on Congress to pass meaningful immigration reform, citing it as a barrier to economic growth.

Ike McLeese, President and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said that immigration is an issue around which politicians can coalesce. 

"Half of the politicians in Washington cannot even spell compromise," McLeese said. But McLeese said something needs to be done, since current laws have put business owners in a difficult situation. 

"Honest businesses are being forced to violate the law," he said. 

Businesses are being hurt by a number of effects of existing legislation, according to the speakers. Foreign-born students who graduate from college are often taking their skills back to their native countries, which diminishes the talent pool for companies.

Agriculture companies who use migrant workers are often under-staffed because of the restrictions on undocumented workers. The construction industry is similarly impacted.

McLeese said the group does not endorse a specific a plan, but is not in favor of amnesty. He said he believes immigration is one of the issues where politicians can break through the gridlock that has dominated the last few years of Congress, unlike budgeting or foreign policy.

The following groups signed on to support immigration reform:

• Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Columbia Community Relations Council
• Home Builders Association of South Carolina
• Carolinas Associated General Contractors
• Palmetto AgriBusiness
• Columbia Urban League

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