Letter: Immigration reform will help nation

The White House recently released a state-by-state report of the economic benefits of common-sense immigration reform. As an immigration attorney, I find the results are astounding.

The report confirms 15 percent of Washington state’s business owners are immigrants generating $2.4 billion in income each year; 26.1 percent of science, technology, engineering, and math graduates and 47.3 percent of the state’s engineering Ph.D.s are immigrants. Therefore, common-sense immigration reform fosters innovation and encourages job creation in Washington.

The White House further confirms that “Common-sense immigration reform would have increased the state and local taxes paid by immigrants in Washington by approximately $20 million in 2010, according to one study.”

The majority of Americans are convinced that immigration reform will help our country. The Senate recently passed a common-sense bill for immigration reform. While not perfect, it is a step toward real immigration reform.

But Speaker John Boehner said the House won’t take up the Senate bill. We need our state representatives to get on board with the majority of Americans.Don’t let immigration reform stagnate; now is the time for reform. I call on Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, to tell House leadership they need to make way for bipartisan majority to move toward the economic boost that comprehensive immigration reform will provide.

Tahmina Watson

Seattle