Mediaboss Marketing

Joseph M. McKinney and Christian S. Allen 11:15 p.m. CST February 4, 2015

Joseph M. McKinney is an attorney with the Nashville office of Dickinson Wright, PLLC, a Michigan-based law firm with offices across the United States and Canada. McKinney can be reached at JMckinney@dickinsonwright.com.(Photo: Submitted)

Immigration reform has long been a topic of interest to business owners.

From its impact on employees, to the reduced burdens of document compliance, to potential economic stimulation, the tentacles of such legislation would undoubtedly touch the business sector.

Questions as to how it would be positive or negative and to what extent are in closer reach.

After years of discussion and debate, reform has taken its first steps with President Obamas immigration accountability executive action. As the nation watches to see how these reforms will translate into government actions, and whether Congress will be successful in stymying their implementation, these plans offer the potential to improve upon our business community.

Out of the shadows

The keystone of proposed reform is the presidents plan for expansion of the deferred action program, which would table deportation for millions of people currently living in the United States.

Coupled with provisions for prosecution discretion meaning deportation would largely be targeted on drug and crime offenders, not people trying to make a living a large population of immigrants are likely to be at least temporarily freed from the ever-present threat of deportation.

As such, it is estimated that deferred action programs would result in 4.4 million more people being temporarily allowed to stay in the U.S. in a quasi-legal status and being given temporary work authorization.

Excerpt from:
Immigration reform is good for business