Rick Judson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Charlotte, N.C., issued the following statement regarding comprehensive immigration reform unveiled today by a group of eight bipartisan senators:
“NAHB congratulates Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for their efforts to advance comprehensive immigration reform.
“We are pleased that the bill would create a fair, efficient and workable employee verification system that preserves the direct employer-employee relationship and the current knowing liability standard so that employers may easily understand their role and obligations. We also appreciate that the measure contains strong protections for employers against prosecution and penalties when acting in good faith and also includes provisions to make the system workable for our nation’s small businesses.
“This bipartisan Senate bill represents a responsible solution to bringing the current undocumented population out of the shadows, and NAHB also welcomes the work that has been done to create a new visa program for the low-skill sector. However, we need to improve the size and scope of this program, and NAHB looks forward to working with the U.S. Senate to improve the bill as the legislative process advances.”
