FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

IFA COMMENDS TENETS OF IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL FOR PROTECTING EMPLOYERS WHILE PROVIDING WORKERS TO FUEL FUTURE GROWTH

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2013—International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira, on behalf of the nation’s 825,000 franchise businesses which support nearly 18 million workers, released the following statement commending the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” Senators for introducing S. 744, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.

“We commend the ‘Gang of 8’ Senators for their diligent work in pursuing the wide-ranging goals of the business community, including the franchise industry, to create a comprehensive immigration reform bill that addresses many of the shortfalls with our current immigration system in America. IFA has advocated for years for improvements to the current immigration system.

“The bill introduced today includes many of the priorities of the IFA’s goals for immigration reform, including a mandatory e-verify system and a new W-visa program that allows employers to access foreign workers for lesser-skilled jobs, but only after Americans have had the opportunity to fill those jobs first. The W-visa program is clearly a positive step toward creating a pathway for the future flow of workers needed to fill jobs in the restaurant, hospitality and service sectors in franchising, but we will also continue to advocate vigorously to expand the caps the current bill places on the number of foreign workers employers can access.

“While we are also pleased to see mandatory electronic verification system (e-verify) in the final bill, the system must include sufficient safeguards for employers in the franchising industry. Small business owners in franchising must be able to use the e-verify system efficiently and without an overly costly burden. A safe harbor for employers who comply with e-verify but unknowingly hire illegal workers due to fraud is critical, and IFA will work with lawmakers to ensure that adequate protections remain in the final language.

“We look forward to working through the legislative process to educate lawmakers about the impact the many facets of this immigration bill would have on the franchising industry so that we can ensure the final language will improve the economic environment for franchising.”

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About the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.