Community leaders on both sides of the aisle came together Tuesday morning to stress the positive impact immigrants have on Utah’s economy. The press conference came hours after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security laid out policies the Trump administration is implementing to more aggressively detain and deport illegal immigrants.
Business owners, farmers, ecclesiastical leaders and elected officials are calling on Utah’s congressional delegation to enact compassionate immigration reform. Ron Gibson is a dairy farmer in Weber County and president of the Utah Farm Bureau.
“We have to have a way to have guest workers here that can come to the United States of America and help us succeed in feeding the hungry people throughout the world,” Gibson said.
Gibson said he employs immigrants who are highly-trained dietitians, animal care specialists and horticulturists—all positions he has a hard time finding locally.
Jorge Fierro owns food manufacturer Rico Brands. He came to the U.S. in 1985. He told reporters that he wants other immigrants like himself to have the same success he’s achieved in this country.
Read the full story from KUER Radio: “Bipartisan Group Highlights Immigrants’ Economic Impact”
