For immediate release

Contact: Terry Hill, 202-628-8000

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26 – The International Franchise Association today applauded Congress’s attempts to rework the bipartisan legislation designed to mend the nation’s fractured and antiquated immigration policies.  Congress voted to support cloture on S. 1639, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. 

S. 1639 recognizes the need to bolster national security by adding $4.4 billion in guaranteed funding for border security and to allow for an adequate workforce to maintain economic growth.  The bill creates a new temporary worker program for the future needs of our economy; a new electronic employment verification system; and a stringent earned adjustment program for undocumented workers.  

“American businesses need workers,” said IFA Pres. Matthew Shay.  “We’re pleased that Congress is taking the necessary measures to repair the outdated immigration system which will ultimately match workers with jobs and boost the productivity of our nation’s economy.” 

According to a recent IFA Educational Foundation study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the more than 760,000 franchised businesses generate jobs for more than 18 million Americans and contribute $1.53 trillion to the U.S. economy.  

IFA is a member of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, a coalition representing the nation’s business community, and will continue to work with the coalition to ensure that this comprehensive immigration reform remains a top priority for Congress.

Founded more than 40 years ago to safeguard the business environment for franchised-small businesses worldwide, IFA’s membership includes more than 1,200 franchise systems, 10,000 franchisees and 400 suppliers. 

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