Bad for Arizona and bad for business — HB 2748 and similar legislation would harm Arizona’s economy, expand inflation and make an already disastrous labor shortage worse.
PHOENIX — Arizona business and faith leaders gathered at the Carl Hayden Memorial in the Rose Garden at the Arizona Capitol today and called on Senate President Warren Petersen and Gov. Katie Hobbs to oppose HB 2748, the “Arizona Invasion Act,” which passed the Arizona House and is under consideration by the state Senate.
Said John Graham, CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, “HB 2748 would do nothing to secure the border or solve our broken immigration system. What it would do is worsen our crushing labor shortage across every sector, increase inflation and threaten public safety by creating a climate of fear for immigrant workers and communities. Instead, the federal government needs to move forward on real solutions like legal work permits for long-term immigrants and bipartisan border management measures like those advanced by our U. S. Senators Mark Kelly and Krysten Sinema.”
“I have created many jobs right here in this country. I am a living, breathing example of the American Dream,” said Irayda Flores, owner of El Mar de Cortez Corp. “I am just one example of the potential immigrants have for our communities and economy, but there are many more stories like mine. We should be granting work permits to immigrants — not considering harmful, offensive legislation that will force immigrant workers to live in fear.”
Kimber Lanning, Founder and CEO of Local First Arizona, added, “We are the largest local business coalition in North America. We have small businesses across every sector and across all 15 counties in Arizona.These anti-immigrant proposals will also cause unnecessary disruption to the workforce. If every unemployed worker in Arizona had a job, we would have nearly 3 million open jobs. It weakens the economy when we lead with fear and disruption in the workplace. I would like to encourage Arizona’s legislature to focus their time urging our federal delegation to pass bipartisan common-sense laws that will help our economy, help our small businesses and protect families here in Arizona. I also want to point out that this bill is introduced with no accompanying budget. When you deputize our local law enforcement that are already stretched thin, who and how do we pay for that? When Arizona tries to take a federal issue into its own hands, the people of Arizona pay the price. Whether emotionally, psychologically or economically, our community deserves better. Gov. Hobbs, I would like to encourage you to veto this bill. Common-sense Arizonans are with you.”
Steve Chanen, President and CEO of Chanen Construction Company, Inc., said, “Our company’s story represents the same American Dream that so many Arizona immigrants continue to pursue to this day. Thanks to their dream, our state is able to grow. The anti-Immigrant, anti-business legislation being considered at this moment risks undermining and worsening this crisis by driving potential workers out of our state. It shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the historic and present contributions of immigrants to our economy and communities.”
“Our faith tells us that ‘Every human being is endowed with rights that governments are obligated to protect and not violate. These include both universal human rights such as the rights to life and liberty, as well as civil rights such as the rights to equitable political representation and equal protection under the law (see D&C 134:1-2).’ We are deeply concerned that HB 2748 will disrupt these priorities and cause unjust harm to Arizonan communities and businesses,” contributed Christie Black, Arizona Chapter Coordinator with Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
Said Tom Kelly, former CEO of HealthSmart and former Head of Medicaid at Aetna, “I’ve had a front-row view as to the importance of immigrants as critical members of a health care workforce across our nation, in Arizona even more than other states. Our population is aging and we are facing an unprecedented demand for health care, made worse by being unable to recruit workers to fill significant labor gaps. If this anti-immigrant, anti-business legislation moves forward, we risk destabilizing our existing workforce and further weakening the foundations of our health care system.”
Marisol, a fellow with Aliento AZ and aspiring lawyer, said, “I applied for DACA a couple of years ago, but a federal judge in Texas issued an order prohibiting USCIS from processing applications like mine, leaving over 80,000 Arizonans undocumented and unable to work and drive legally. But we are more than our undocumented status. We’re hard workers. We’re students and leaders. This community is valuable to Arizona and we want the opportunity to contribute to our state because this is our home and we care deeply about it.
“Instead of dividing our families and our communities, we should be united and stand up for those whose stories don’t get heard. Immigration is a federal issue and we need Congress and President Biden to do their jobs. I’m asking President Biden to extend work permits to immigrants like me so we don’t have to live in fear. I hope legislators hear me and remember my name when they consider this harmful legislation.”
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 9.5 million job openings in the U.S., but only 6.5 million unemployed workers. If every unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have nearly 3 million open jobs. Arizona currently only has 71 available workers for every 100 open jobs. This labor shortage and further workforce disruption will drive up inflation and underscores the importance of adopting policies that attract and integrate workers rather than deter them.
Today’s leaders joined a chorus of over 100 prominent Arizonans who previously issued an open letter urging Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria) and Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) to oppose the “Arizona Invasion Act” in favor of fiscally responsible and humane federal solutions.