“The study is not a legitimate study. It overestimates the number of people that are going to be counted in the system…it includes four million kids that are already living here now…a quarter of the costs are for traffic and police and…public services that are already being provided.

The bottom line is, I think the study is deeply flawed.” (CBS News, 5/9/13)

Representative Paul Ryan

“The Congressional Budget Office has found that fixing our broken immigration system could help our economy grow. A proper accounting of immigration reform should take into account these dynamic effects.” (Rep. Paul Ryan, Statement to Press, 5/6/13; David M. Drucker, “Ryan Critical of Heritage Immigration Study,” Roll Call, 5/6/13)

Senator Jeff Flake

“Here we go again. New Heritage study claims huge cost for Immigration Reform. Ignores economic benefits. No dynamic scoring.” (Twitter, @JeffFlake, 5/6/13)

Governor Haley Barbour

“The @Heritage #immigration study is misleading & designed for headlines. The study isn’t a serious analysis for good policy. @BPC_Bipartisan” (Twitter,@HayleyBarbour, 5/6/13)

“This study is designed to try to scare conservative Republicans into thinking the cost here is going to be so gigantic you can’t possibly be for it.” (Stephen Dinan, “Report: Legalizing illegal immigrants to cost $6.3 trillion,” Washington Times, 5/6/13)

Conservatives Extol the Positive Benefits of Immigration Refom

Immigrants are also generally productive, entrepreneurial and highly motivated. They have a higher labor-participation rate than native-born Americans, and they also create new businesses at a higher rate. Some have specific technical skills the U.S. needs, while even workers with lesser education or lower skills bring a strong work ethic and a willingness to fill low-wage jobs.

…

Faster economic growth would in turn drive down the budget deficit over the next 10 years by at least $2.5 trillion. Think of it this way: A more generous and more skill-based immigration system would lower the budget deficit three times more than President Obama’s fiscal-cliff tax increase enacted in January.

…

This isn’t to say that all immigrants will provide a net economic boost. But on balance U.S. businesses and the overall economy would benefit from a growing supply of younger immigrants who would have decades of more productive, creative work to contribute to American prosperity.

Mr. Holtz-Eakin modestly refers to his numbers as “ballpark” estimates. But even if the benefits are half what he projects, immigration reform would offer an economic stimulus far superior to anything Mr. Obama has come close to delivering in his first four years. 

“Disaster” will run nationally for over a week on the Fox News Channel only, from today through May 9th, the date of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s markup of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.

Our broken immigration system is hurting our country and our economy. While it isn’t perfect, this reform legislation is tough and fair, and there’s a lot conservatives will embrace when they hear the facts. It’s time we found a workable solution to end de facto amnesty.

This is the latest major action supporting conservative immigration reform we’ve taken in addition to our Hispanic Leadership Network (HLN) initiative. In March, AAN launched a six-figure television buy calling for immigration reform featuring former Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. HLN has deployed a Capitol Hill outreach program, educating Members of Congress and staff on the benefits of reform, and just last month held a major summit for Hispanic center-right activists in Miami featuring Gov. Jeb Bush, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and others.

“The beliefs espoused by the Heritage Foundation’s Jason Richwine are ignorant and reflect a lack of understanding of our immigration system and the American immigrant experience. American Hispanics are not a community of low intelligence but rather one of entrepreneurship and upward mobility. This lack of understanding, from the author himself of Heritage’s immigration study, only further discredits their already controversial and flawed findings. This is particularly disappointing because of our respect for the Heritage Foundation and their traditions of high standards, rigorous work, and support for immigration reform. We look forward to the next Heritage study that excludes such obvious biases and flawed starting points.”

WASHINGTON, DC – The Hispanic Leadership Network (HLN) released the following statement from Executive Director, Jennifer S. Korn regarding the introduction of Senate immigration reform legislation.

“America’s legal immigration system is broken. We must protect America’s legacy as a nation of immigrants and as a nation of laws. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 is a strong conservative start to the immigration reform process.

“We need a lasting reform that overhauls our bureaucratic visa system, secures our borders, creates a temporary worker program, establishes a worker verification system, and allows the eleven million undocumented immigrants in our country to earn a legal status. We need an immigration system that reflects the needs of our economy and cuts the deficit. This is what the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 has brought us. I look forward to an open and honest legislative process.”

The Hispanic Leadership Network began its efforts in 2011 and strives to engage the Hispanic community on center-right issues that will restore opportunity and prosperity in America.

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“This year’s HLN conference will focus on three of the most pressing policy matters for Hispanics – the economy, education, and immigration. We will come together as a family to discuss our concerns and hopes for the future. I am honored to co-chair the conference with my friend Carlos Gutiérrez, and look forward to a spirited public debate about the best path forward,” said Governor Jeb Bush.

The conference kicks off on Thursday night with a welcoming reception featuring both co-chairs, as well as former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño.

“We are proud to once again provide a platform for conservative Hispanics to have a dialogue with our national leaders about the issues that most affect our community. We hope to inspire Hispanics nationwide to continue the policy debate long after our conference,” said HLN Executive Director Jennifer S. Korn.

On Friday, the conference program includes two panel discussions on Immigration and Economy & Education. Former U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello will deliver the keynote address, marking the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, HLN will host two breakout sessions focusing on grassroots advocacy and the media.

Below is the full agenda (subject to change) of the “Family Reunión” conference.   

Thursday, APRIL 18, 2012 

5:30 -7 p.m.                        WELCOME Reception: Mi Casa es su Casa

 Food, drinks, music

Governor Jeb Bush

Carlos Gutiérrez, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Governor Luis Fortuño

7:00 P.M.                             Discussion with Governor Jeb Bush & Univisión Radio’s Helen Aguirre Ferré

Friday, APRIL 19, 2013

9:45 – 10 A.M                      WELCOME                                                                                                                                                                                          Rosario Marín, former U.S. Treasurer, Event Emcee

Fred Malek, Founder, American Action Network

Jennifer S. Korn, Executive Director, Hispanic Leadership Network

10 – 11:30 a.m.                  Immigration reform: Not Just a Latino Issue

Florida Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart

California Congressman David Valadao

Ralph Reed, President, Faith and Freedom Coalition

12 – 1:30 P.M.                     Lunch & Keynote speech: Obamacare’s 3rd Birthday

Dr. Antonia Novello, former u.s. Surgeon General

2 – 3:15 P.M.                       Economy & Education: Smaller, Smarter Government for a Brighter Future

Governor Jeb Bush

Carlos Gutiérrez, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Florida State Senator Anitere Flores (Invited)

Cesar Conde, President, Univisión (Invited)

3:30 – 5 P.M.                       Breakout sessions (Closed Press)

¡ANDALE!: Mobilizing on the Ground

Brian Walsh, American Action Network

Ana Carbonell, The Factor

Brett Doster, Front Line Strategies

Jeb Bush Jr., SunPac

EL PODER DE LA PALABRA: Communicating Effectively Through Mainstream & Social Media

Alex Castellanos, National Media & Purple Strategies

Helen Aguirre Ferré, Univisión Radio

Katie Harbath, Facebook

Dan Conston, American Action Network

8:30 p.m.                             The Red Carpet Celebration

]]> http://hispanicleadershipnetwork.org/2013/04/over-15-prominent-conservative-leaders-to-address-hlns-family-reunion-conference-in-miami/feed/ 0 http://hispanicleadershipnetwork.org/2013/04/infographic-temporary-worker-supply-vs-demand/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=infographic-temporary-worker-supply-vs-demand http://hispanicleadershipnetwork.org/2013/04/infographic-temporary-worker-supply-vs-demand/#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:51:32 +0000 ebenavides http://hispanicleadershipnetwork.org/?p=4107

“Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) comments were unacceptable, offensive, and obvious that he doesn’t speak for conservatives. On behalf of the Hispanic Leadership Network, I’d like to thank leaders like Speaker Boehner, Sen. Cornyn and others for taking a strong stand and making it clear this kind of intolerance has no place in the conservative movement.”

The Hispanic Leadership Network began its efforts in 2011 and strives to engage the Hispanic community on center-right issues that will restore opportunity and prosperity in America.

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“HLN continues to successfully expand its role as a platform for elected officials, business leaders, and community activists to engage with Hispanics in a productive dialogue about the most pressing issues facing our country. I am incredibly proud of what HLN has already accomplished and enthusiastic about what lies ahead,” said former Governor Jeb Bush.

“We look forward to coming together in Miami and discussing how Hispanics can be active participants in the public debate about immigration reform, education, and economic policy,” said Secretary Gutiérrez.

The main goal of the conference is twofold: to examine and identify lessons learned from how the center-right movement has engaged Hispanics over the years, and to pave the way for center-right policy proposals to become legislative victories. Activists from across the country that understand how to successfully engage the Hispanic community will discuss how to be effective moving forward. The gathering will feature to-be-announced top center-right and Hispanic leaders.

“From immigration reform to debt reduction, Hispanics need to be front and center in the public debate about how to move our country forward,” said HLN Executive Director Jennifer S. Korn. “We will be in the trenches making sure our voices are heard and our influence is channeled effectively.”

Last week, the Hispanic Leadership Network launched a six-figure pro-immigration reform advertising campaign featuring Sec. Carlos Gutierrez. The ad campaign is part of a broader push from HLN and allies advocating for immigration reform.

The Hispanic Leadership Network, part of the center-right American Action Network, began its efforts in 2011 and strives to engage the Hispanic community on center-right issues that will restore opportunity and prosperity in America.

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