Position on Federal Immigration Reform - 2017

The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce supports comprehensive immigration reform that will contribute to the safety of all Americans while supporting the U.S. economy.
 
Border Security

The federal government must allocate adequate resources to employ both technology and enforcement to secure our borders. Border security policy needs to include cooperative efforts with neighboring countries. Such efforts must incorporate data on international criminal and terrorist information. Additionally, a comprehensive approach should include support for economic development and security in countries of origin for illegal immigrants.
 
Undocumented Immigrants currently in the U.S.

The estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States are contributing to our economy. The federal government needs to establish an earned pathway to legal status program for these workers that include:

• national security and criminal background checks;
  
• verification that worker has paid all federal and state taxes;
• assessment of a fine for entering the U.S. illegally; and
• proof the worker has resided in the U.S. for at least five years and proof that the worker has been employed and contributed to the U.S. economy.

 
Deferred Action Programs

In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, legislative action should be passed as soon as possible to shield individuals covered under the DACA program from deportation action and provide a pathway for legalization of their status in the United States.
 
Guest Worker Program

The federal government should continue and expand the current guest worker programs to assure employers are able to fill jobs due to a lack domestic workers. Guest worker programs are also critical in some high tech sectors where sufficient qualified U.S. citizens are not able to qualify for many jobs. Guest worker programs should have clear requirements and streamlined processes for employers to be certified to participate in the program. Additionally, these programs should provide sufficient protections for certified employers / employees to allow for the employees to return to their country of origin and return to meet the needs of the industry where they are working.
 
 
Approved by the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors on September 28, 2017