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For Immediate Release: April 8th, 2009
REPORT: OneAmerica report finds immigrant workers aid state economy 'Building Washington's Future' first to examine immigrant worker role in Washington
OneAmerica report finds immigrant workers aid state economy APRIL 8, 2009 SEATTLE - Speakers from Seattle-based immigrant rights group OneAmerica, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the University of Washington joined immigrant workers from Iraq today to discuss a report released today examining the contributions of immigrants to the Washington state economy. The OneAmerica report is the first report to focus on the immigrant contributions to the state's economy. "Building Washington's Future: Immigrant Contributions to Our State's Economy" outlines the role of immigrants in the work force and their direct contributions as taxpayers, consumers and workers in a variety of industries. "We need every person in this economy to really stimulate our state's growth. This is an important time to have a discussion about immigrant contributions to our state," said OneAmerica Executive Director Pramila Jayapal. Washington state's immigrant population is spread out across the state and is uniquely diverse with the majority of immigrants originally from Asia and Latin America. Some of the state's largest research and academic institutions and businesses, including the University of Washington and Microsoft, rely on H1-B visa workers. "This issue is particularly important here in the Northwest where we have a very robust agricultural center as well as a technology sector that is continuing to grow," said Renee Radcliffe Sinclair, Executive Director of Congressional & Public Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The report also speaks to the importance of two-way integration for new immigrant workers, such as a dentist from Iraq who served as an interpreter to the United States Army before coming to the United States last year. His wife is also a dentist. Neither of them can practice in the United States but both want to provide for themselves and give back to society. "We are professionals, we came over here prepared, but the rules are putting locks on our hands," he said. His wife added, "When we were in Iraq they destroyed everything, my home and my dream. I left everything. I left my child. They told me I could go to America. I was so happy. The land of opportunity, the land of freedom. I'm going to get my chance to be a dentist and achieve my goals. I just want a chance." Washington's immigrants who own their own businesses contribute significantly to the number of jobs created and provide approximately $1.3 billion, or 9.8 percent, of the total state business income. In Washington, Asians and Hispanics own 5.7 percent and 2.2 percent of businesses, respectively. The contributions of Washington's immigrant work force support the need to invest in English Language Services, naturalization assistance and immigrant entrepreneurs. These investments are essential in an economic growth strategy in a struggling economy. Finally, the report points out that the state's Governor and Legislature should publicly push Congress and President Obama to enact comprehensive immigration reform this year. "We know immigration reform is a federal issue," said Jayapal. "But the effects of a broken immigration system are felt by states across the country as our workers, businesses and economies suffer." Full Report Executive Summary Photos from the News Conference PRESENTERS FROM NEWS CONFERENCE Pramila Jayapal, Executive Director, OneAmerica Comments from News Conference Sarah Curry, Policy and Research Associate, OneAmerica Comments from News Conference Luis Fraga, Associate Vice Provost, UW, Director of Diversity Research Institute Comments from News Conference Renee Radcliffe Sinclair, Executive Director, Congressional & Public Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce ALSO AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS Jon Wyss, Governmental Affairs, Gebber Farms Josh Koempel, Owner, Potentiality Farms CONTACT INFO AVAILABLE BY REQUEST 206-853-3339 or naomi@weareoneamerica.org
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