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The
EPHCC - Small Business Advocacy Division
Takes a Stand on Immigration Reform
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On October 4, 2006 President George W. Bush signed into law the HR 6061 The
Secure Border Fence Act of 2006. Under this legislation, about $1.2 billion
would be spent during the fiscal year that began October 1 for southwest border
fencing and other barriers.
The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently started a letter writing
campaign to all the Senators along the border that passed HR 6061 Secure Border
Fence Act 2006. The EPHCC has strongly opposed this bill and has specifically
stated its position in the letter below. We encourage you to write your
congressman and let him or her know how you feel about a fence being built in
your back yard if you live along the border.
October 5, 2006
Dear Senator,
It is with great concern that we write this letter on behalf of our Board of
Directors our members and the almost 900 plus small, minority, and women owned
businesses in the El Paso community.
The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce have been active opponents of the
immigration fence issue as it stands, since it first came into the political
arena with house amendment 648 of HR 4437 which called for the creation of a
fence along the US/Mexico Border. H. AMDT. 648 created by Congressman Duncan
Hunter (R-El Cajon, CA) were almost exactly alike in that it created a layered
fence as well.
We firmly believe that the approval of HR 6061 is a direct insult to our sister
city and neighbor to the south, Mexico. This will have very adverse effects on
the relationships we have continued to foster and grow among business leaders
on both sides of the border.
The EPHCC believes that the creation of this fence will not only be considered
an eyesore for El Paso, but a waste of federal funding that could be used in
more productive ways to secure our borders. This would be perceived as a
“demeaning wall”, not unlike the Berlin Wall. Building a larger and expanded
fence along our border would severely damage our economic relationship with our
neighbors across the border and only serve to divide us, without offering a
valid solution. The fences that are already along the border do not serve as
deterrents.
Being a border city, El Paso relies heavily on the daily commerce that
traverses through our borders. The creation of this fence would hamper business
opportunities we have come to rely upon.
While we are in agreement that border security is of the utmost importance, we
feel it is imperative to support legislation that enables us to secure our
border with viable alternatives. We would be the first to champion any effort
that allows us to do so while at the same time allowing our neighbors to
maintain their dignity, and allow legitimate commerce to continue.
Sincerely,
EL PASO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Cindy Ramos-Davidson
Chief Executive Officer |
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| The
EPHCC - Small Business Advocacy Division Takes a Stand on Immigration Reform |
| Small Business Advocacy
Division Immigration Reform Position Statement |
Introduction
The EPHCC representing small and minority businesses in the Greater El Paso
region emphatically opposes the militarization of our border community and we
especially are appalled by the proposal to construct fences along our US/Mexico
border as a way of securing our border. The United States possesses the
technology and resources to find alternative means for securing all our
borders. The EPHCC and our members are very concerned that the presence of US
National Guard troops on our border absolutely will reflect poorly on our
American values, send a message of xenophobia and discouragement to our
extended families beyond our southern border, discourage businesses and
commerce in the El Paso / Juarez region, and will greatly affect our important
tourism economy. In detailed reference to President Bush’s initiatives
regarding Immigration Reform, we state the following:
Position
Border Security
As a border community we are not in support of compromising the security of our
borders in any way whatsoever; however, we do not support a measure that will
portray our cities along the US and Mexico border as being under siege by the
military, or any other paramilitary group.
Amnesty
Understanding the great contribution our immigrant population makes to our
local economy, we strongly support legislation that will ease the daily
trans-border flow of our current immigrant population as well as the commuter
population. We are not in support of indiscriminate amnesty, but we encourage
the Senate to pass an immigration reform bill that still recognizes and
supports the immigration needs of such border communities as ours.
Temporary worker program
The EPHCC supports a temporary worker program that gives an immigrant a fair
opportunity for the path to citizenship while not causing inconvenience to the
current immigrants that are already on a path to citizenship. The EPHCC sees
potential citizens of this country as our up-and-coming entrepreneurs and
business owners and we will continue to advocate for their future small
businesses. The EPHCC also recognizes that our immigrants make up the majority
of our small business workforce, and we hope that as this program takes shape,
it will have the needs our small business community in mind.
Employer Accountability
As penalties are enforced on employers because of work documentation fraud, we
must put in place safeguards that will not be administratively or financially
burdensome on the small business community. We support the creation of new
biometric cards and/or other similar technology. We also support penalties and
fines that are commesurate with the employers’ financial and administrative
abilities, particularly in the instance of small business owners.
"American" tradition of the melting pot
As a land of immigrants we must never forget where everyone came from. Part of
keeping the tradition of the melting pot is providing the environment where all
immigrants can feel comfortable embracing their culture, while assimilating the
U.S customs and laws
EPHCC Action
The El Paso Hispanic chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate to our
small, minority women owned businesses and out reach to all of our membership
and community at large. The EPHCC will continue to run Online’s, place
articles, in our newspaper and contact our local, state, and federal
representatives with our concerns.
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| Immigration
Map |
| City
Resolution against the Troops |
| Senate
Bill 2611 Report |
| Senate
Immigration Vote |
| Senate
Bill 2611 Amendments |
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