Small Businesses Stand with Dreamers as Senate Debate Continues
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on four immigration proposals tonight or tomorrow, Friday February 16, ahead of a week-long Congressional recess. Amanda Ballantyne, National Director of Main Street Alliance, a national network of small business owners, released the following statement:
Read moreSmall business owners still not sold on tax bill, Trump immigration plan
WASHINGTON, DC --- Following last night’s State of the Union, business owners across the country took to Twitter to voice concerns about the ramifications for Main Street of the GOP's new tax law and the most recent attack on immigrants.
Read moreSmall business leaders to GOP: Get serious about solution for Dreamers
In response to President Trump’s latest immigration proposal, David Borris, Main Street Alliance Executive Committee Member and Co-Owner of Hel’s Kitchen Catering in Illinois released the following statement:
Read moreMain Street Alliance statement on Senate stopgap bill
WASHINGTON, DC --- In response to today’s deal in the Senate to pass a three-week stopgap spending bill, Amanda Ballantyne, National Director of the Main Street Alliance, a national network of small business owners, released the following statement:
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Small Business Letter to Congress: The Dream Act and Temporary Protected Status
December 19, 2017
The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader
United States Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Chuck Schumer, Democratic Leader
United States Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader
United States House of Representatives
233 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Re: The Dream Act and Temporary Protected Status
Read moreWhy small business owners need the DREAM Act
When Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was enacted in 2012, small business owners rejoiced. Hundreds of thousands of young people in the U.S., called Dreamers, could step out of the shadows to work, go to school, pay tax, and openly invest in the communities where they were raised. DACA added strength and stability to the families, the economy, and Main Street.
Read moreSmall Businesses Need Dreamers
The small business owners of Main Street Alliance condemn President Trump’s repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Repealing DACA is both morally reprehensible and economically disastrous.
Read moreTrump Immigration Executive Orders: A Blow to Main Street Businesses
Immigration and inclusion power the U.S. economy; efforts to shut out immigrants and refugees will hurt communities and small business bottom lines.
Read moreWe Strongly Condemn Racist and Hateful Legislation Against Refugees; Call for Leadership by Governors
The Main Street Alliance strongly condemns the passage of H.R. 4038, the so-called “American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act.” This bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, November 19, prevents Syrian refugees from entering the United States without meeting additional stringent screening requirements.
Read moreSmall Businesses Celebrate Historic Breakthrough on Immigration
Years of Courage and Persistence Pay Off in Huge Step Forward for Immigration Reform
Millions of immigrant families are celebrating the historic breakthrough on immigration that will provide the opportunity for many to remain in the U.S. and continue to contribute to America.
President Obama’s executive order means that for now nearly half of the undocumented immigrants living in America will no longer be afraid they will be deported. The other half’s fears should also lessen because new reforms should begin to reign in over-zealous enforcement agencies.
“This is a major victory for the immigrant rights movement in American and for the millions of immigrants who stood up and were unafraid. It’s a long overdue step toward justice,” said Stephen Michael, Campaigns Manager of The Main Street Alliance.
Makini Howell, owner and Executive Chef of Plum Bistro, Seattle, WA
Across the country The Main Street Alliance has been working tirelessly with the small business community to fight for fair and just reform to fix our nation’s broken immigration system, keep our families together and our small businesses thriving.
Makini Howell, owner of Plum Bistro in Seattle, WA appeared on the Nightly Business Report last night, joining together with those who called on President Obama to take bold action in September, Main Street Alliance business owners from all across the country support the President, showing that administrative action to protect immigrants makes business sense.
“As a small business owner, I see the positive impact immigrants have on our economy,” said Jose Gonzalez, President of Tu Casa Real Estate in Salem, OR. “Many of my customers are immigrants, and it makes me so happy to know that this year, millions more families across the country will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving and the holiday season without fear that the broken immigration system will tear families and communities apart.”
Jim Gilbert, owner of Northwoods Nursery & One Green World in Molalla & Portland, OR and Jose Gonzalez, President of TU Casa Real Estate in Salem, OR
Because the deferred action program announced by President Obama does not cover all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and the action is not permanent, Michael vowed to keep fighting for comprehensive immigration reform.
“Our fight is not over until everyone has a path to citizenship and no one lives in fear that their family will be separated. After all, when our families and communities are strong, our small businesses thrive,” Stephen Michael said.
Small business owners and families celebrated President Obama’s executive order, but added words of caution for anyone who attempts to reverse this action, including congressional Republicans.
“Countless families have been torn apart because of our patchwork of failed and mismanaged immigration policies. We will never allow that to happen again and will stand up to those who put politics ahead of families,” said said Jim Gilbert, Owner of Northwoods Nursery and One Green World in Molalla and Portland, OR. “To those who would try to take this victory away, who would tell immigrant families they are not welcome, you are on the wrong side of history. Our communities, families, and small businesses need this to help strengthen our economy.”
“Today, America is living up to its promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said Peter Tofalvi, owner of Abacus Energy Solutions in Beaverton, OR. “Today, millions of families will now be able to pursue the American Dream.”