The time for business as usual is over.

On Tuesday, June 19, amid national uproar over his immigration policies, President Trump joined the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a big lobby purporting to represent small business, for a polite lunch and opportunity to tout his “zero tolerance” against people seeking asylum. The NFIB audience members applauded eagerly as Trump doubled down on his bid to hold immigrant families hostage to his divisive agenda.

But real Main Street small business owners are not clapping. We are appalled.

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:

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. 

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:

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:

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

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.

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.

Immigration and inclusion power the U.S. economy; efforts to shut out immigrants and refugees will hurt communities and small business bottom lines.

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.