Immigrants Contribute To U.S. Economy, Says Foreign Policy Expert

Edward Alden, Director of the Council on Foreign Relations' Independent Task Force, emphasized the economic contributions that immigrants bring to the U.S. “There is often this very static notion of the economy that anyone using services is inevitably a drain, without thinking about the contributions that these people are bringing to the U.S. economy, which are extraordinary,” he said. Alden acknowledged that in some states, such as California and Arizona, this is not the case. (0:44)
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Immigration Rate Must Match Availability Of Jobs, Says Council On Foreign Relations Report

"Right now in this economy, we clearly need jobs more than workers," said Thomas McLarty, The Council on Foreign Relations Independent Task Force Director. McLarty advocates the need for a "flexible" immigration policy. McLarty and others on the Task Force issued a report that emphasized the need to "match the flow of workers needed for the jobs available." (0:47)
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U.S. Needs Inclusive Immigration Program, Says Foreign Policy Expert

“I simply don’t see how we can say that we are a country of diversity, a welcoming country, a country that respects the worth and dignity of the individual, and not have a comprehensive...thoughtful immigration program,” said Thomas McLarty, Council on Foreign Relations Independent Task Force Co-Chair. (0:17)
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Immigration Reform Lags Because People Benefit From Exploiting Cheap Labor, Says Expert

Richard Land, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said the U.S. has not made progress in immigration reform because “there are people who have benefited from exploiting cheap labor and undocumented workers, and they have a vested interest in it not getting fixed.” (0:26)
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