Our Economy Needs Skilled Workers To Help Business Grow

Release Date:

May 9, 2013
For Immediate Release

NEW YORK—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to New York where she met with business community leaders to discuss the need for commonsense immigration reform, which is critical to our nation’s economic health and prosperity.

“Over the past four years, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has worked to meet our immigration responsibilities in a smart, common-sense manner. Today our borders are more secure and our border communities are among the safest communities in our country,” said Secretary Napolitano. “In order to build on this strong record, America needs a 21st century immigration system that meets the needs of law enforcement, businesses, immigrants, communities, and our economy.”

During the meeting with leaders from the business community, Secretary Napolitano discussed the need for critical changes to the legal immigration in order to help business grow our economy by providing the skilled workers this country needs.

Secretary Napolitano also highlighted this Administration’s dedication of historic levels of personnel, technology, and resources to the Southwest border, noting that while challenges will always remain, every metric used to measure border security shows significant progress and improved quality of life in border communities. Commonsense immigration reform will build on this historic progress, enhancing border security, facilitating lawful trade and travel, reuniting families and promoting economic growth.