I went to the White House to let the president know immigration reform is an economic necessity

Last week, I went to the White House to talk about the economy.

Of course, the government shutdown was discussed, as was immigration reform and border security. But I was not interested in picking sides between Republicans and Democrats, nor was I interested in bartering with members of the administration. Trading DREAMers in exchange for a border wall and limitations on asylum seekers, as proposed by the administration on Saturday night, was not on the table for me.

{mosads}Forget the political mudslinging. I was there to advocate for a secure immigration system that fosters economic growth.

At the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we represent over 4.37 million Hispanic-owned businesses that, together, contribute $700 billion to the American economy every year. We were founded on the notion that the success of the American economy is inextricably linked to the success of the Hispanic business community. We understand that, by advocating for our members, we are also advocating for the success of the entire nation.

I visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue because I recognized an opportunity to share the following policy solutions rooted in economic data:

First, legal immigration is good for the economy—and good for everyone.

Legal immigrants are an integral part of the American workforce. As a matter of fact, we need more. Our immigration system should be facilitating legal immigration to fill labor shortages in key American industries. Immigrants comprise 17.1 percent of the American workforce, and they are more likely to work in industries experiencing a labor deficit such as construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

Instead of adhering to outdated visa caps and forcing employers to jump through countless hoops, we need to create a visa system that reflects the needs of the American economy. Our immigration system should facilitate the legal immigration of good people who want to do good work—the benefits of such a system would be felt throughout the entire United States.

Second, DREAMers and TPS recipients are good for the economy. Securing their legal status is the right thing to do.

The 1.3 million individuals that qualified for protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (known as DREAMers) make significant contributions to the American economy. Each year, they pay $1.7 billion in state and local taxes. Their employment rate is 91 percent, far above our national average. If they were deported, the U.S. would lose $433 billion in GDP over the next decade.

Similarly, our economy has come to rely on recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The average TPS recipient has lived and worked in the United States for 19 years. If the legal status of TPS recipients is not secured, the U.S. will experience the following over the next decade a loss of $164 billion to our GDP, a $6.9 billion reduction to Social Security and Medicaid, and employers would face $967 million in turnover costs. If DREAMers and TPS recipients are forced to leave, America will suffer a serious loss.

Third, the most economical border security solution is one that advances technology.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology estimate that the final cost of a border wall would be up to $40 billion. This is money that would have to come out of the pockets of American taxpayers. The suggestion that the new United-States-Mexico-Canada agreement would pay for the wall is inaccurate. Not to mention, the wall would cut through the private land of farmers and ranchers, harming their businesses. To take land from Americans on the border would be a violation of property rights.

Enhancing technology on the border is much more cost-effective. Infrared cameras, radar towers and blimps, and surveillance drones are already in place to help agents monitor the border digitally and respond to threats immediately. Improving this technology at ports of entry and installing new technology along the border, such as a fiber-optic cable, would further increase security at a lower cost than a wall.

I visited the White House to deliver this perspective on behalf of the Hispanic business community, and it is now up to the administration to act. As our leaders in government push for comprehensive immigration reform, we encourage legislators on both sides of the aisle to put policy over politics and prioritize the growth of the American economy. 

Ramiro Cavazos is the President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Previously, he was the President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. He has also served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of San Antonio.