The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation recently that seeks to revoke the president’s recent executive actions on immigration reform, which is disappointing news for small employers looking for qualified workers. We know from our polling that having access to a qualified workforce is of paramount importance to entrepreneurs looking to grow and expand their businesses. In fact, more than two-thirds of small business owners believe immigration reform will be good for small businesses by establishing a qualified, trained and stable workforce. But lawmakers’ efforts to undo actions on immigration reform will make it even harder for small business owners who are looking to grow their businesses and find workers with the right skills.
A recent poll conducted by Small Business Majority found that while a majority of small employers have hired new employees over the past three years, many are struggling to find qualified employees. And 1 in 5 small business owners who have hired immigrants say it’s because they can’t find enough U.S. citizens to fill jobs. In fact, many small employers who have chosen to hire immigrants say one of the biggest challenges they face in using immigrant labor is concern about following the letter of the law.
This underscores why it’s critical to improve our immigration system and make it easier for employers to understand and comply with its requirements–and why the president’s executive actions are so crucial.
