In today’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, AAF President Douglas Holtz-Eakin discusses the challenges for legalizing essential workers and the potential for immigration reform.

His central points:

• Legalization of a variety of categories of undocumented immigrants, such as the proposed Citizenship for Essential Workers Act – is an important aspect of federal immigration reform, but such reforms should also include securing borders and reforming the visa system to contribute to stronger economic growth;
• The economic impact and legal merit of legalizing essential workers does not appear to be large, and may well produce undesirable migration incentives; and
• The legislation’s definition of “essential” workers is overly broad, classifying the vast majority of employment as essential.