Ed. note: This post is the second in a series of five. Check back on the White House Blog throughout the week for more statements from leaders around the country.
Yesterday, bipartisan state and local officials in the South explained why now is the time for immigration reform. Today, leaders in the Midwest share why they support immigration reform and how fixing the broken immigration system will help their communities by strengthening the economy, spurring innovation and increasing U.S. trade and exports.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder
"For America to be competitive in the 21st century, it's critical that we implement an effective system for legal immigration. It should be a system that honors our country's heritage and also one that recognizes immigrants as valuable members of our communities who have long fueled our economic engine.”
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg
“From our early days as an auto town to our new economic direction, South Bend has always built on the contributions of generations of hard-working families who became Americans by choice. Our city will be better off when Congress finally acts to fix our broken immigration system. This community needs Washington to do what it takes to ensure that such talented and capable people have the chance to legally and fully contribute to our economy, and share the blessings and burdens of citizenship.”
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller
“Our nation’s federal immigration laws and policies are broken, and an overhaul is long overdue. I support President Obama’s leadership in trying to reform our nation’s immigration system. The President’s comprehensive proposal secures our borders, provides a clear path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants who act responsibly, and holds businesses accountable when they hire people who aren’t here legally.”
Fonte: White House