Press Releases

THOMPSON URGES MINORITY INVESTMENT IN IMMIGRATION REFORM

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement in advance of President Barak Obama’s speech addressing the nation on immigration reform:

“Comprehensive immigration reform is still needed in this country.  This Congress, I worked to jumpstart the effort by working on H.R. 1417, a strong, bipartisan bill to secure our borders.  That bill, the McCaul-Thompson bill, passed the House with a solid majority.  While America’s borders must be secure, we must also prepare our workforce for the emerging economy.

“One of the prevailing arguments is that we do not have enough skilled workers in the United States.  The President has highlighted the shortage of highly-skilled workers in America.  Rather than use imported workers to address this shortage, we should look to make additional investments in our schools – K-12 and college.  Reform efforts impacting the economy should focus on increasing the competitiveness of our workforce, including highly-skilled workers like those college graduates from American universities.  For example, although African-Americans account for 11% of those receiving degrees in computer science, only 2% of the related jobs are held by African-Americans.  The diversification of our STEM workforce must include African-Americans.

“America – the public sector and the private sector - should invest in its colleges and universities, particularly our historically-Black colleges and universities.  I urge President Obama to invest in our country’s STEM workforce and middle-class and focus on increasing America’s worldwide competitiveness and economic stability while securing our borders,” said Congressman Thompson.