Politics & Government

Business Leaders Told Immigration Reform Will Boost Local Economy

Congresswoman and two San Diego City council members urge South Bay business leaders to press for passage of national immigration reform legislations.

Rep. Susan Davis and two San Diego City Council members Tuesday urged South County business leaders to support immigration reform because it will benefit the local economy.

Davis, a Democrat whose new district includes parts of Chula Vista, spoke to members of the South County Economic Development Council at its annual meeting.

Joining Davis were San Diego City Council members David Alvarez and Mark Kersey.

Davis said estimates by the Congressional Budget Office show immigration reform will reduce the federal budget deficit by $197 billion.

She said the immigration bill that passed the Senate last week includes extensive spending on security, but "maybe that's necessary to get the votes for House approval." She said she hoped for more spending on border crossing infrastructure in the final bill.

Kersey said San Diego's border is "essentially secure," but the economic potential isn't being tapped because of long border waits and lack of customs agents at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and other ports of entry.

"We have all this missed economic output that's just across the border," said the council member from Rancho Bernardo.

Alvarez, whose district stretches to the Mexican border, said many in the U.S. do not understand the importance of immigration reform because they don't live near the border.

"What it means to others is not what it means to us," he said. "We don't need more agents, we need customs inspectors."

The South County Economic Development Council is a non-profit organization that seeks to encourage economic development in the South San Diego County region. Members include Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, San Diego, San Diego County, the Port of San Diego and many private businesses.


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