Strengthening Our Economy by Reforming Immigration Policy

• Read a study by the Center for American Progress on the economic benefits of comprehensive reform
• Read a poll by the Benneson Strategy Group about broad public support for immigration reform (PDF)
• View a list of over 700 organizations nationwide who have already pledged to support reform

New York City has always been a beacon for immigrants who seek a better life and the promise of liberty. In return for welcoming these new Americans, immigrants have shaped the foundations of our economy and prosperity. Legal and undocumented immigrants generate about 5.4% -- or about $700 billion dollars -- of America's gross domestic product,² and comprehensive immigration reform would bring even greater benefits to the American economy.

To retain and strengthen our global leadership in this new century, New Yorkers and all Americans must work together to fix a broken immigration system that is hurting our economic growth, driving opportunities for job creation overseas, and unfairly burdening U.S. taxpayers. That is why 86% of Americans support comprehensive immigration reform.³ The time has come for a new, pragmatic and common-sense national policy that welcomes more of the world's talented and tireless workers, integrates these new Americans into our society, and better protects our borders.

1. Wadhwa, Vivek; Saxenian, AnnaLee; Rissing, Ben and Gereffi, Gary, "America's New Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Part I," Duke Science, Technology & Innovation Paper No. 23, January 2007, available here.
2. Tamar Jacoby, "Immigration Nation," Foreign Affairs, November/December 2006, available here.
3. Poll by Benneson Strategy Group, June 2009, available here.