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Contacts: Lisa Urias, 602-538-9423
Denise D. Resnik, 602-956-8834
media@therealarizona.org
Tucson leadership organizations join statewide coalition favoring federal immigration reform
January 25, 2012 (TUCSON, AZ) -- Several of Tucson’s most prominent leadership organizations have joined the Real Arizona Coalition (RAC), which represents nearly 40 business, community and faith-based leadership groups statewide focused on rebuilding the state’s national and international image, while advancing immigration reform at a federal level.
"We are pleased to be part of this new initiative. It’s time to shift the conversation to job creation and honing Arizona’s competitive advantage,” said Paul Bonavia, Chairman of the Board of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO) and Chairman & CEO of UniSource Energy and Tucson Electric Power Company.
Counted among the Real Arizona Coalition’s newest members are the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC), the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO), and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Other groups already part of the growing coalition include Greater Phoenix Leadership, Chicanos Por La Causa, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Anti-Defamation League, and One Arizona Interfaith Leaders. (See complete list below and at www.therealarizona.org)
“The addition of these significant and influential Tucson-based organizations speaks to the momentum growing in Arizona to move away from divisive statewide immigration initiatives and commitment to advancing federal immigration solutions that support a competitive 21st century economy,” said Denise D. Resnik, RAC Co-Founder and Member of the RAC Leadership Council. “We have the opportunity to leverage Arizona’s position as the bellwether state on immigration and demonstrate our leadership for the world to see.”
The Coalition is focused on specific federal solutions that include:
• Strengthening border security. Promoting “operational control,” which assures focus on criminal activity.
• Creating a secure system for all employers nationwide to verify the legal work-eligibility for employees.
• Registering for a federal form of recognized status for immigrants with no criminal record.
• Growing the economy with a market-based immigration process that supports a range of workforce needs from seasonal to highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
These pillars of the Coalition’s platform translate into federal economic reforms that include:
Streamlining the visa process for low-skilled workers.
Raising visa caps for highly skilled temporary workers.
Providing green cards for immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in the U.S.
Granting more visas for foreigners who have business plans and capital.
Offering green cards to foreign graduates of our university systems.
Allowing U.S. companies better access to highly skilled talent from around the world.
Developing reliable ways for U.S. industry to hire much-needed seasonal and other guest workers who generate additional, better-paying job opportunities for Americans.
The Real Arizona Coalition is aligned with the Partnership for a New American Economy (www.renewoureconomy.org), an organization with more than 400 multinational CEOs from across the U.S. who have called upon Congress to enact federal immigration reform to help our nation develop a 21st century economy.
The Coalition has diligently built its platform over the past 21 months, engaged statewide leadership organizations, empowered Arizonans with fact-based information and begun the process of repositioning Arizona amidst the besiege of nearly 6 million internet hits about state-led immigration policies.
“Our solution for mitigating the damage to our state’s reputation is leadership. And that leadership speaks to federal solutions through what we know, what we’ve learned and the challenging experiences we have endured in Arizona,” said Wendell
Long, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board Chair.
The Coalition is credited for the following:
Successfully lifting the boycotts on Arizona imposed by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation’s most influential advocacy organizations, and other national civil rights groups.
Co-hosting five Arizona Immigration Solutions Conferences across the state (including an October 16 conference in Tucson) that featured immigration experts, policy makers and scholars from across the U.S., as well as community and business leaders discussing federal immigration reform.
Providing fact-based research information from numerous expert sources on the economic benefits of immigration on the U.S. and Arizona economy.
Facilitating the publication of numerous articles and editorials articulating the importance of national immigration reform and discouraging the introduction of state-led, enforcement only policies.
Coordinating a national forum to be held this spring in Arizona on federal immigration reform, the economy and international trade.
“The participation of Tucson and Southern Arizona is critical in this discussion and in helping to create a positive economic environment and a high quality of life in Arizona. Together, we can advance federal solutions that provide an immigration platform that makes sense for Arizona and for the nation,” said Tannya Gaxiola, Tucson Hispanic Chamber Board Chair.
According to Fletcher McCusker, Board Chair and CEO of Providence Service Corporation, "We conduct business in 44 states and know firsthand the importance of Arizona taking the lead in balancing immigration policy. We encourage every business leader in Arizona to get involved." Providence is the first Tucson-based company to sign on as a member of the RAC.
Leaders are being sought from businesses, multi-cultural interests and inter-faith groups of all sizes and denominations. For more information on the Real Arizona Coalition and to join, visit www.therealarizona.org.
The Real Arizona Coalition--Member Organizations
• Andale Construction
• American Jewish Committee
• Anti-Defamation League
• Arizona Accord
• Arizona Community Foundation
• Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform
• Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Arizona Latino Research Enterprise
• Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix
• Catholic Healthcare West
• Cesar Chavez Institute
• Chicanos Por La Causa
• East Valley Partnership
• eLatina Voices
• Exito, Inc.
• Friendly House
• Goodman’s Interior Structures
• Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council
• Greater Phoenix Leadership
• IO.INC
• Ironco Enterprises
• Local First Arizona
• Los Abogados
• Native American Connections
• New Carpa Theater Co.
• One Community
• One Arizona Interfaith Leaders
• Providence Service Corporation
• Schaller Anderson
• Southern Arizona Leadership
• St. Luke’s Health Initiatives
• Sundt Corp, Inc.
• Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Tucson Regional Economical Opportunities (TREO)
• Valle del Sol
• Westcor |