Coalition releases letter urging Senators to support skilled worker immigration reform provisions currently before the Senate

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On June 7, “Business for Skilled Worker Immigration” – a national coalition of 50 Chambers of Commerce led by the Greater Boston Chamber – sent the following letter to all United States Senators encouraging support for skilled worker immigration reform provisions included in legislation currently on the Senate floor for debate:

Dear Senator:

We are writing in support of several key immigration reform provisions currently before the Senate that will address one of the greatest challenges to the long-term growth and competitiveness of our regional and national economies – the inability to access top international talent.  Business for Skilled Worker Immigration, a coalition of 50 leading Chambers of Commerce from across the U.S., urges you to support skilled worker immigration reforms as these important provisions are considered by the Senate this month.

U.S. immigration policy has proven inadequate to address the needs of companies competing in a globalized, 21st-century economy.  Tens of thousands of skilled foreign workers, highly trained science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates of U.S. universities, and overseas entrepreneurs are being shut out of the U.S. economy by outdated restrictions and limitations.  America’s competitor nations have capitalized on this shortfall by actively and aggressively revising their immigration policies to welcome many of the world’s best and brightest to their shores.

Congress has an historic opportunity to reverse this international “brain drain” and send a strong message to skilled workers across the globe that the United States is open for business.  There are currently proposals before the Senate aimed at significantly expanding the nation’s supply of skilled workers and innovators, including provisions to:

  1. Increase the availability of temporary, skilled worker (H-1B) visas by substantially raising the annual cap and enabling additional market-based adjustments – creating a program that is more responsive to market demand while avoiding overly burdensome hiring and recruitment requirements.
  2. Exempt all advanced STEM degree holders from U.S. universities from the annual employment-based green card cap – retaining more of these highly sought-after graduates in the U.S. and placing them on a fast track to permanent residency.
  3. Create new INVEST visas and green cards for immigrant entrepreneurs who launch businesses  in the U.S. and meet key job creation, revenue generation, and financing goals – addressing a significant policy gap and fueling the nation’s engine of economic growth and innovation.

On behalf of the tens of thousands of employers our Coalition represents – from across every industry and company size – Business for Skilled Worker Immigration urges you to support these lasting and forward-looking skilled worker immigration reforms.   Enacting these reforms, combined with an ongoing focus on domestic education priorities and skills training, will help ensure that the U.S. remains a global capital for talent in the decades to come.

Sincerely,

Business for Skilled Worker Immigration

List of Coalition Members

  • Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Allegheny Conference on Community Development
  • Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Austin Chamber of Commerce
  • Bridgeport Regional Business Council
  • Buffalo Niagara Partnership
  • CEO Council for Growth / Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
  • Columbus Chamber of Commerce
  • Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Fayetteville Regional Chamber
  • Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition
  • Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Louisville Inc.
  • Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Omaha Chamber
  • Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
  • Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
  • Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
  • Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Orange County Business Council
  • Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
  • Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Rockford Chamber of Commerce
  • Salt Lake Chamber
  • San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
  • San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
  • Springfield, Missouri Area Chamber of Commerce
  • St. Louis Regional Chamber
  • The Business Council of Fairfield County
  • Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce
  • Tulsa Regional Chamber

Paul Guzzi talks Biege Book & Government Center development project on NECN

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On Thursday night, Chamber President & CEO Paul Guzzi went On the Record with NECN’s Latoyia Edwards to discuss the Federal Reserve’s recent Beige Book survey, a new development project planned for Government Center, and recent data about MBTA ridership trends. Watch the interview here.

Market analysis on This Week in Business

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Sunday on This Week in Business, Jim Lowell, NECN Market Analyst and Editor of the Fidelity Investor, joined hosts Paul Guzzi and Mike Nikitas to discuss recent economic trends, including stock market and housing market activity.

In the Briefing Room, Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, joined to give an update on the Center’s efforts and economic impact on the region.

On the Business Beat, NECN’s Peter Howe weighs in on some of the week’s top business stories, including Attorney General Coakley’s suit to keep the state’s fishing industry afloat, Mayor Menino’s honorary degree from Harvard, a study finding mothers are now the bread winners in 40% of US households, and a new vacation survey.

5 Ways to Get Involved with the Chamber

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The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce allows you to connect, grow, and succeed through a deep variety of network events, a powerful business advocacy program, and various leadership programs with leading universities across the region.

But what does this really mean? And what’s the best way to find out – and reap the full benefits? There are many ways to get started, but here are five you should consider today:

  • Attend an event: The Chamber offers 100+ events annually, from a large speaker series to smaller, more informal networking events throughout Greater Boston. They’re a great way not only to network, network, and (yes, even more) network, but also learn best practices that’ll help you both professionally and personally. And they’re tailored towards all businesses, with something for everyone. Visit the Events Calendar, and pick 1-2 in the coming month or so.
  • Sign up in our e-mail communications: This is the best way to keep informed on all things Chamber – from our programs, advocacy efforts, and periodical updates from our President & CEO Paul Guzzi.  They’re your resource, built for you, and customized towards your areas of interest. Click here to sign up.
  • Nominate a leader: The Chamber offers three exclusive leadership development programs, held in partnership with leading academic institutions across the region, such as Harvard, MIT, Suffolk University, and Simmons College. Boston is a hub of talent – and chances are some of the brightest professionals are part of your organization (or even yourself!). Programs are offered for all levels, so if you know someone, we’d love to hear their story.
  • Check out the Chamber’s Advocacy Agenda: This is your one sheet summarizing the current policies most impacting both your business, and Greater Boston. They’re the issues we’re working for on your behalf, both on Beacon Hill and the national level. If you’d like to get involved with any of them, and get your voice heard, feel free to contact our policy team.
  • Follow us on social media: You’re already reading the blog, so you’re on the way. The Chamber’s social network is the most expansive among the region’s business community. Through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube, we’re continually keeping you updates on what matters most; whether its Chamber updates or a digest of the top business stories throughout Greater Boston.  

Best of all (and something many don’t realize): Every employee at a Chamber member company is eligible to reap the benefits of membership.

 So what are you waiting for?

Paul Guzzi discusses the week’s top business stories on WBZ & NECN

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On Thursday, Chamber CEO Paul Guzzi spoke with WBZ NewsRadio’s Joe Mathieu about some of the week’s top business stories, including the new Q1 GDP reading and other economic news, the current housing market, and the outlook for summer tourism.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

Paul also went ‘On the Record’ with NECN’s Latoyia Edwards to discuss Attorney General Martha Coakley’s suit against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s new regulations to limit fishing, Mayor Tom Menino’s honorary degree from Harvard, and the strength of the local housing market. Watch the interview here.