Immigration reform needed for economic growth - Bloomberg

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Asian Journal

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in his 10th state of the city address, reiterated with conviction the need for immigration reform, which he says ‘is the single biggest step we can take’ to promote innovation and economic growth.

“The biggest single step we can take to promote innovation in New York City, and across this country, is to fix our broken immigration system,” Bloomberg said. “It’s not only hurting national security, it’s the most ruinous economic policy you could ever conceive of. It’s destroying American jobs every single day. We’ve got to change it.”

Community and immigration advocates cheered this pronouncement.

“In the face of federal inaction on immigration reform, Mayor Bloomberg has committed to working nationally to push for reform and continues to articulate a positive message about immigrants’ economic contributions. What a breath of fresh air, and what a welcome antidote, to the localities across the nation who are jumping through hoops to outdo Arizona in pushing for ever more punitive, divisive, anti-immigrant policies,” said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition.

NYIC hopes that Bloomberg’s steadfast commitment to immigration reform will bolster President Obama in his determination to achieve immigration reform, and help stem the tide against the increasingly hostile political climate immigrants face in the new Congress.

Mayor Bloomberg also announced a set of initiatives to support immigrant entrepreneurs.



Read more: http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-usa/15-dateline-usa/8584-immigration-reform-needed-for-economic-growth-bloomberg.html

[dkf]

1. It's a sad thing when you have to rely on immigrants to stimulate an old and tired neighborhood.

Is this a commentary on Americans? Are we that pathetic?