WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration released a new executive order today that bans travel from six Muslim-majority countries and freezes refugee resettlement. The revisions follow the Ninth Circuit’s decision Feb. 9 to block the initial executive order.
Business leaders around the country are responding and discussing ways that refugees and other immigrants benefit the American workforce.
“At the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, we are well aware that our member businesses benefit from opportunities to hire a diverse American workforce,” said Paola Avila, Vice President of International Business Affairs at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We are of course concerned when we see opportunities that create legal pipelines to the workforce, such as the refugee program, halted or hindered from full operation. We urge Congress to find solutions to help to bolster the economic vitality of the country by creating more opportunities to expand, not limit, the American workforce.”
“Our country was founded by immigrants and we embrace refugees in this country,” said Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles. “Their diversity brings a new wave of creativity to the American workforce and plays a considerable role in our state’s economic growth. Studies have shown that being exposed to diversity can change the way we think.”
“The hospitality industry is a driver of the economic vitality of both the state of Florida and our nation, and our employees are an important part of the success of our operations,” said Wendy Kallergis, CEO and President of the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association. “The hospitality industry employs a great diversity of individuals, including refugees, and without them, our industry would be devastated, as would the economy. Offering hospitality is what we do — we extend this to our customers, and our employees. We urge our leaders to find solutions that do not halt or lessen our ability to welcome and employ these individuals who are so crucial to our industry.”
“What we’ve found in Idaho is that the contributions of the immigrant labor force help all of us,” said Bob Naerebout, Executive Director, Idaho Dairymen’s Association. “On the food processing side, refugees fill a void in our facilities. Agriculture is a starting point into the business world, and they move up from there. Refugees now are in management positions and moving up, contributing greatly to our society. They add great value to our rural community and are greatly appreciated.”