WASHINGTON — With the release of the Trump Administration’s principles for immigration reform, National League of Cities (NLC) President Mark Stodola, mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, released the following statement:
“America’s city leaders are encouraged to see the President taking a leadership role in protecting the Dreamers who call our country home. For years, NLC has called for comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens both enforcement of current immigration laws and worksite enforcement — and that provides increased capacity for foreign nationals to obtain legal authorization for temporary visas or legal permanent residency.
“However, as we look towards investments in our country’s physical infrastructure, ensuring a skilled and available workforce — which includes immigrants — is critical to our economic success and vitality. Without pathways for immigrants to contribute legally to the workforce, our booming domestic industries will suffer and stall.
“Congress needs to come together in a bipartisan effort to solve the Dreamer issue now. Anything less is callous punishment on some of our best and brightest. Our nation has been built on the energies of hardworking immigrants and now is no time to be turning our backs on them.”
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The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.