[Immigration\Supreme Court]
Adobe’s Dana Rao: “Adobe would not be the company it is today without our rich diversity of employees, and that continued diversity is vital to our future. Today we’re proud to join 100+ other businesses signing the Coalition for the American Dream’s amicus brief, supporting more than 800,000 DACA recipients who contribute to U.S. companies and the economy.”
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Over 140 of the nation’s top businesses and trade associations, which collectively represent nearly every sector of the U.S. economy, have joined an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on November 12th regarding the Trump Administration’s efforts to end the DACA program, and potentially subject 700,000 young people to deportation.
The brief, which includes a number of U.S. companies that employ workers protected under the DACA program, illustrates the immense support from the U.S. business community for Congress to provide permanent protections for DACA recipients, for the benefit of employers and the economy more broadly.
The brief notes that, “Since its inception, DACA has had an enormous impact on the lives of over 800,000 young people who came to this country as children and know only this country as home. They are creating businesses that employ other Americans. And their increased wages lead to higher tax revenues and expansion of our national GDP—producing new jobs and benefits for all Americans.”
The brief highlights that the rescission of the DACA program would harm U.S. companies and the entire country, noting Dreamers as valued employees, businesses owners and consumers who help grow the economy by filling jobs that otherwise would remain vacant due to an insufficient supply of workers, and that it would inflict enormous harm on individuals, companies and the economy. It also notes that the rescission of DACA itself is invalid.
Lastly, it emphasizes the negative economic impact the removal of DACA recipients could have, stating, “Eliminating DACA will inflict serious harm on U.S. companies, all workers, and the American economy as a whole. Companies will lose valued employees. Workers will lose employers and coworkers. Our national GDP will lose between $350 and $460.3 billion, and tax revenues will be reduced by approximately $90 billion, over the next decade.”
A number of leaders from major businesses released statements supporting the amicus brief.
“At Marriott, we have built our business by welcoming people from around the world, opening our doors to guests seeking new experiences and associates seeking opportunity. Dreamers are now fully part of our company’s fabric, and inspire us with their determination to contribute at work and to American life more broadly. Today, we urge the Supreme Court to consider the important role Dreamers play in our communities and in our economy. Marriott remains committed to finding a just, permanent solution for Dreamers who deserve a chance to live productive lives in this country,” said Arne Sorenson, President and CEO, Marriott International.
“We stand with Dreamers because we believe finding a path forward for those who have called this nation home since they were children is the right thing to do. We encourage Congress to prioritize this important issue and enact a legislative solution to legalize their status,” said Sandra Rivera, Chief People Officer, Intel Corporation
“IBM stands firmly by our DACA employees. They make invaluable contributions to our company and their communities, and they deserve to live and work in the only country most of them have ever known. We are proud to support IBM’s Dreamers before the Supreme Court and will continue working towards a permanent legislative solution in Congress,” said Diane Gherson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, IBM Corporation.
“Dreamers are Americans in every way but on paper and want to continue to contribute their talent and entrepreneurial spirit to advance the U.S. economy. These young men and women are our friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and are overdue for a permanent legislative solution to ensure they can continue to contribute to our communities and the U.S. economy. Rescinding this critical program would create a harmful ripple effect across families and businesses, and create further uncertainty for these individuals” said Jason Oxman, President and CEO, Information Technology Industry Council.
“Adobe would not be the company it is today without our rich diversity of employees, and that continued diversity is vital to our future. Today we’re proud to join 100+ other businesses signing the Coalition for the American Dream’s amicus brief, supporting more than 800,000 DACA recipients who contribute to U.S. companies and the economy,” said Dana Rao, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Adobe.
“Dreamers have become an integral part of our society and our workforce and have the potential to offer so much more to our country if they can continue their pursuit of the American Dream. The NAM supports DACA’s work authorization for more than 800,000 individuals to help meet the workforce challenges facing manufacturers and to allow those people to continue to contribute to their companies, communities and families—as well as this country, which for many is the only home they have ever known,” said Linda Kelly, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, National Association of Manufacturers.
“More than 170 years ago, an immigrant named Levi Strauss came to America and founded our company. He was pursuing his version of the American dream, just as Dreamers today are pursuing their version of the American dream. We must protect Dreamers and their aspirations to seize the opportunities our country affords and invest their talent back into our economy. It will make us all stronger. We urge Congress to find a permanent solution that will let Dreamers continue to work, study, and live in the United States,” said Anna Walker, Vice President of Public Affairs, Levi Strauss & Co.
For any additional information and to view the full amicus brief filing, including the complete list of signatories, please visit: www.coalitionfortheamericandream.us
