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Ronald N. Langston 12:04 a.m. CST February 23, 2015

Ronald N. Langston(Photo: Special to the Register)

Everyone across the political spectrum agrees that the U.S. immigration policy is broken. The long march to the White House has begun. Beginning in Iowa, the presidential caucus provides Iowans with a historically unique opportunity to directly interact and challenge prospective presidential candidates on issues important to Iowa and the nation.

Now is the time for Iowa to focus the nations attention on immigration reform. Now is the time for American action. Now is the time for leadership. The recent introduction and location of global champions Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and others to Iowa are transforming the state into an emerging, major competitive global leader in high skilled, adaptive, and innovative service technologies.

A significant challenge for the Iowa presidential caucus process is whether Iowans will take seriously their critical role to clarify the choice on which candidate is the responsible adult in the room. Who will best demonstrate the moral responsibility to be intelligent, and who will exhibit the skill and courage to address the challenges facing Iowa, the nation, and the world?

The outcome of immigration reform will directly impact Iowas emergence as a technology state. In a recent Washington Examiner article, Republican leaders throughout the state made it clear there is no single opinion on this issue in Iowa. Our state and the nation need a leader to create a path forward, to secure the borders, and protect our economic interests.

It is unacceptable to ignore the business case reality of the impact that immigration has on the future economic growth of the nation. The talent found within the individuals coming to America is valuable and must continue to be harnessed by American businesses and entrepreneurs. Immigrants have been responsible for increasing the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by nearly $37 billion each year. Likewise, immigrant students contribute to the economy as they spend nearly $21.8 billion in tuition and living expenses annually. In fact, immigrant entrepreneurs play a large role in our nations entrepreneurial economy and we must embrace them in order to continue being a competitive global leader. We cannot afford to lose the economic benefits provided by our nations immigrant population.

Thus far, credible, actionable solutions have not been offered. Potential candidates who claim to be anti-reform, often waxing on about amnesty or merely emphasizing border security, fail to address clearly the immigration divide and, by default, they wallow in the quicksand of the pro-deportation debate and the politics of fear.

It is not just Republicans who do not get it. President Obamas recent executive order is not a viable or sustainable response, and U.S. Senate Democrats holding up critical Homeland Security legislation continue the stalemate in Congress. Ultimately, we need a comprehensive immigration plan to provide a permanent legislative solution to a national crisis. Otherwise, we risk America becoming the No. 1 exporter of both highly skilled workers and technology jobs to Canada, China, India and Europe.

Let us ask now for solutions not rhetoric. Let us take this opportunity to inspire a spirited debate on immigration reform. Let us remind those coming to this great state that the American mission should not be a dream deferred for those who are seeking freedom and security.

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Immigration reform affects Iowa businesses