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Greenspan’s Testimony Leaves No Doubt: Immigrants Benefit Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Leading Economist Alan Greenspan testified today before the Senate Judiciary Committee
Thursday, Apr 30, 2009Washington – Fair Immigration Reform Movement and its partner organizations welcome Mr. Greenspan’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee today. In a debate that is too often clouded by inflammatory rhetoric, it was refreshing to hear a respected economist of Mr. Greenspan’s stature rely on facts to make the case for comprehensive immigration reform.
“There is little doubt that unauthorized, that is, illegal, immigration has made a significant contribution to the growth of our economy,” said Mr. Greenspan. He later added, “"Unauthorized immigrants serve as a flexible component of our workforce, often a safety valve when demand is pressing and among the first to be discharged when the economy falters… Economists generally view the overall economic benefits of this workforce as significantly outweighing the costs.”
We applaud Mr. Greenspan for stepping into this contentious issue to set the record straight on immigration and the economy: A robust economy needs immigrants.
“We are driving away the best and brightest, precisely when we need them most,” Mr. Greenspan said. “The U.S. has always been able to absorb waves of immigration and maintain its fundamental character as a nation.”
FIRM also commends Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Senate Judiciary Committee for starting the conversation with a common sense approach to immigration reform. President Obama has expressed his support for tackling immigration reform this year. The grassroots, religious, labor and business communities support the President’s call. The time is now. Let’s not waste an opportunity to do what’s right for our country.###
Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) is a coalition of grassroots community organizations nationwide, including statewide immigrant rights coalitions, organizing networks, faith-based groups, and low-income and other networks organized around ethnicity or national origin, working on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform and immigrant rights. FIRM is convened by the Center for Community Change.
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