EDINBURG, Texas - Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, says it is time for Congress to pass immigration reform legislation.
He says the time is right because unlawful immigration is now under control.
“News flash, the border is secure. It's 100% secure. I'm gonna say it. It’s 100%. It really is,” Hamer said.
Hamer spoke about immigration reform in a speech at a legislative affairs luncheon hosted by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. The main topic was President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act. Hamer said immigration enforcement, along with national defense, were two important provisions in the legislation.
“On the immigration side, the federal legislation puts record resources into immigration enforcement. I think that this actually provides an opportunity for us,” Hamer said.
“The border is more or less sealed. I mean, it is one of the true great successes of the second Trump term. And there's probably more illegal migration going from the United States into Canada than there is from Mexico into the United States.”
Hamer said the TAB is a “strong supporter” of “making sure we get workable federal immigration law.”
And that workable federal immigration law must be across the board, he explained.
“In all these different sectors where we need workers. That includes the Dreamers and the DACA population, where so many of these students are doing great stuff in our community colleges or universities. Some serve in the military. Many are in our workforce, and it would be very damaging to our economy and the United States economy if we remove them.”
Hamer said an argument can be that there should not be visa reform until the border is secure.
“Well, news flash, the border is secure. It's 100% secure. I'm gonna say it. It’s 100%. It really is,” Hamer said. “Well, now let's make sure we get the workers that we need. And, for Texas, this is very important. You look at our healthcare industry, you look at our energy industry, you look at the construction industry, you look at agriculture.”
Hamer said the tech industry could also do with more workers.
“Because this economy, thank God, is doing so well in so many industries, we have open positions where international workers, legally in this country, can complement those workers,” Hamer said.
“So… on the federal side… I think all these issues are connected. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, our trade policy, our tariff policy, as well as our immigration policy.”
The legislative affairs luncheon was held at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The emcee was Ronnie Larralde, the Edinburg Chamber’s executive director.
Editor’s Note: The above news story is the first in a six-part series on remarks Glenn Hamer made at the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce event. Part Two, focusing on tariffs, will appear in our next edition.
