Pushing Immigration Reform

Business and agricultural groups that have struggled in recent years to get congressional action on immigration reform are counting on 2017 being different once the embers of the 2016 presidential election begin to cool.  Presidents from the American Farm Bureau Federation and Western Growers helped launch the "Reason for Reform" campaign on Wednesday with new reports showcasing the role of immigrants, documented or otherwise, across the country in areas ranging from agriculture and construction to startup businesses. The business groups believe local stories and data will help "push the needle on immigration reform," said John Feinblatt, chairman of the Partnership for a New American Economy.  The business leaders said the goal to push congressional action next year needs to start now because immigration is a central issue in the election.