Ending DACA a Setback for Entrepreneurship

In light of the fact that President Trump has announced he will end Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), it is important to reemphasize the importance of sensible immigration policies for the benefit of both our small business community and our economy as a whole. After all, immigrants and particularly young people like the Dreamers who have been protected under DACA are the lifeblood of entrepreneurship–they work at small businesses, start small businesses and contribute to our economic success.

President Trump does not seem to recognize this important role that immigrants play in the United States: They are twice as likely to start a business as the average person, making them an essential component of job-creation in this country. Ineffective immigration laws also impact entrepreneurs whose businesses are already up and running. More and more we hear from small business owners who say they struggle to find qualified workers and thus need a larger applicant pool. Meaningful immigration reform will help satisfy that gap and drive economic growth.

What’s more, scientific polling conducted on behalf of Small Business Majority found that small businesses overwhelmingly believe comprehensive immigration reform is good for America and good for business because it establishes a qualified, trained and stable workforce. Additionally, the vast majority of our nation’s small employers said that the best immigration solution is to create a path toward citizenship accompanied by effective enforcement.

Comprehensive immigration reform is a goal long supported by small business owners across the political spectrum, but its enactment is stifled time and again by our divisive political climate. President Trump’s announcement to end DACA is a step backwards that will create obstacles for small businesses and will prevent many immigrants from launching their own businesses and pursuing the American Dream. We urge congressional lawmakers to display the courage that President Trump would not, take legislative action to restore DACA and make it easier for small business owners to succeed by ensuring a stable long-term, high-skilled workforce through meaningful immigration policies.