The Fight for Immigration Reform

Thinking about the differences between big business and small businesses on the immigration issue (the latter against and the former for "amnesty"), it comes down to naked economic self interest. An examination of their membership and the economic position relating to immigration tell the story.

While the size of the immigration issue is really tied to the 12 million or so estimated contributing illegal workers, it would seem that all businesses need or are currently using these workers. But that view would be wrong, according to the NSBA (National Small Business Association). A 2007 survey of members revealed that a lack of qualified workers polled at 23%, or the 6th highest concern on the challenges measure, behind taxes and health care reform among others. Why is this issue of qualified workers so low?? Partly because small businesses hire immigrants at a much lower rate than their larger competitors. One measure comes from the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) in it's 2006 Member survey on Immigration. One finding was that a mere, "Seven percent of NFIB members have hired one or more guest workers within the last two years." The resultant positions by the NSBA and NFIB on immigration emphasize rational changes that don't impose additional expense on employers. Considerations of amnesty are discouraged.

On the contrary, if small businesses aren't hiring these folks, then it must be that large businesses are the ones. And as the economist community would say, these folks may be taking a small percentage of American jobs at the very low end, but on the whole they are contributing greatly to the American economy. Because the large business community needs these workers and needs them to stay, the US Chamber of Commerce supports immigration reform including, "...providing a way to earn legal status for undocumented workers who have been supporting our economy for the last decade or more." Notice no mention of amnesty, but that's what it would be.