US immigrants make 'huge contribution' to economy

July 10 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Jeb Bush on US immigration reform

A leading voice in US immigration reform has praised migrants who legally work in the US for their "huge contribution" to the economy.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, co-chair of the Council of Foreign Relations Task Force on US immigration policy, spoke in support of a proposed overhaul to US immigration law. He stressed that reforming the immigration system is complex and fraught with political hurdles yet it is increasingly vital for the US economy.

Bush said: “One of the real weapons we have in competing economically is our ability to absorb immigrants - legal immigrants - who make huge contributions to our country.”

He also defended attacks that US migrants drive down wages for low-skilled US-born workers by stating he knew of research and cases that stated the “exact opposite”.

Read the full interview with Jeb Bush at the Council on Foreign Relations website.

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