Rep. Calvert Highlights Survey Results on Immigration from Small Businesses

Rep. Calvert Highlights Survey Results on Immigration from Small Businesses

The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) released survey results yesterday on the attitude of small business owners toward immigration reform. Significantly, the results demonstrate a support for tougher immigration enforcement measures, even aimed at illegal employment.

Two significant findings include:

* When asked whether an electronic employment eligibility verification system would be a burden, 76% of small businesses said it would be a "minimal burden" or "not a burden."
* Seventy-eight percent (78%) of employers surveyed support increased penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens.

"A mandatory employment eligibility verification system, based on the Basic Pilot Program, will level the playing field and stem the tide of illegal immigration," said Rep. Calvert. "I wrote the law that created the current Basic Pilot Program and it has run successfully for over a decade, benefiting thousands of businesses who have voluntarily signed up. Clearly, small business owners want to be a part of the solution to illegal immigration and I hope their representatives in Washington get that message."

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http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=11367