The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) applauds House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other House Republicans for their commitment to move forward with immigration reform legislation in 2014. Fixing our broken immigration system and providing access to a legal workforce so our economy can grow is a priority issue for NRCA.
NRCA has long supported immigration reform that increases border security, improves enforcement without burdening employers, addresses illegal immigration by providing a legal avenue for workers to enter the U.S. when our economy needs them and deals with currently undocumented workers in a balanced manner.
The roofing industry faces a growing challenge in finding sufficient workers for job openings, despite rigorous efforts to recruit U.S. workers. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting employment in the roofing industry to grow 18 percent in the decade between 2010 and 2020, this demand cannot be met by U.S. workers alone given current demographic trends.
NRCA is pleased to see that the Standards for Immigration Reform issued today by House Republicans recognize the workforce needs of employers in a 21st century economy. Establishing a temporary visa program that addresses our nation’s economic and national security needs is vital to ending illegal immigration and enabling the construction industry to fully recover from the harsh economic downturn of recent years.
NRCA looks forward to working with members of Congress from both parties in a bipartisan manner during 2014 to craft immigration reforms that strengthen border security and are effective in addressing the needs of all employers.
This statement is attributable to: William Good, Executive Vice President, National Roofing Contractors Association