The Greater Austin Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted to support a resolution to legalize the beneficiaries of the deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) program and expand legalization opportunities highly skilled recent graduates from high-demand programs in American universities.

The Austin region has an unemployment rate lower than three percent and nearly 40,000 open positions. Local taxpayers, businesses, and communities spend a lot of money to educate and support people who have come to this country for a better life.

The Austin Chamber Board of Directors supported the resolution based on the following criterion:

• Increase the net number of legal immigration slots to the United States;
• Legalize the beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through the DREAM Act or similar legislation; and
• Increase legalization opportunities for highly skilled foreign-born graduates graduating from in high-demand fields in American universities

The resolution comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced their plans to not extend the October 5 deadline for DACA recipients to renew their status.

For decades, the Austin Chamber has consistently called upon congressional members of the Central Texas delegation to support global talent by improving federal immigration policy. Programs such as H-1B visas and DACA supplement the Central Texas economy and workforce.

The Austin Chamber Board of Directors calls for Congress to pass and the president to sign improved federal immigration policy by March 1, 2018. The Board resolution also recommends that Congress act to protect taxpayer investments by allowing highly skilled individuals who have come to the United States for a master or PhD to study in-demand fields like engineering, computer science, or healthcare to become legal residents.

For a complete list of the Greater Austin Chamber public policy priorities, click here.

# # #

About the Greater Austin Chamber

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce focuses on how the Austin Region works. We serve as the voice of business for 2,800 organizations representing a combined workforce of about 330,000 employees throughout Central Texas. Our mission is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous economy and effective advocacy for members. For more information, please visit AustinChamber.com.

Media Inquiries:

Luke Sheffield, Public Relations Manager
Austin Chamber of Commerce
512.322.5637
lsheffield@austinchamber.com