Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Joins Grover Norquist to Address Need for Immigration Reform

Call follows last month’s teleconference with Tea Party Express co-founder Sal Russo

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Grover Norquist to talk about immigration reform and the Senator’s ideas to strengthen border security, reform existing immigration laws for employers and attempt to find common ground on smaller immigration related matters, on the second teleconference in a new monthly series hosted by  New American Economy and Americans for Tax Reform. Last month, the series launched with Tea Party Express Co-Founder Sal Russo and Al Cardenas, former Chairman of the American Conservative Union, expressing their support for immigration reform. The calls feature prominent conservative leaders’ perspectives on the need for reform and are moderated by Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform.

“Immigration is the United States’ great competitive advantage,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. “The hardest working, brightest people in the world want to come and work and thrive here. Those were our grandparents and now they are our neighbors and future in-laws. Our nation’s immigration laws need to catch up with our opportunities. We cannot live hobbled with a 55 mph speed limit in a 75 mph nation.”

“Everyone agrees that our immigration system is broken and that simply maintaining the status quo is unacceptable and unworkable,” said John Feinblatt, Chairman of New American Economy. “Today’s call with Senator Rand Paul shows strong support for fixing our outdated laws from one of the leading conservatives in Congress.  Senator Paul and the majority of the American public want reform this year, and political spin over a single house district primary election does not change the reality that our immigration system is broken, hurts our economy and needs to be overhauled.”

Some Key Facts About Immigration Reform

• Tea Party voters want immigration reform this year: In a national survey of 400 Republican Primary voters who identify with the Tea Party released last month by the Partnership for a New American Economy, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Tea Party Express, 71 percent said it is important that Congress act on immigration reform this year.

• Kentucky voters support immigration reform: In a national survey of likely voters released last summer by the Partnership for a New American Economy, the Alliance for Citizenship, and Republicans for Immigration Reform, 73 percent of Kentucky voters said that they would support an immigration reform plan that includes a way for undocumented immigrants to achieve legal status.

• Kentucky’s immigrant business owners are helping the economy: Immigrant business owners generate $451 million annually.

• Many of Kentucky’s brightest students are forced to go back home after graduation: Between 2006-2010, 79.5 percent of Kentucky’s engineering PhDs were temporary residents, a group with no clear path to stay after graduation.