America has always been a nation of immigrants, and throughout the nation’s history, immigrants have kept our workforce vibrant, our businesses on the cutting edge, and helped to build the greatest economy. In addition to giving a significant boost to our national economy, commonsense immigration reform will also generate important economic benefits in each state. The new state by state reports  detail how immigration reform would strengthen the economy and create jobs in all regions of our country.

This week, the White House released a new report detailing the important benefits provided by the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill for the domestic agriculture sector, its workforce, and rural American communities.  The report highlights the ways in which the agriculture industry is hampered by a broken immigration system and how immigration reform with a path to earned citizenship would strengthen agricultural and rural communities.  Finally, it underscores the need for action on immigration reform in the House of Representatives.

To learn more about the new reports, join us on Friday at 12:30pm for a conference call with Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council, and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, for an overview of the new State-by-State economic dataand the importance of making your voice heard during this critical time in the immigration reform debate.

• Who: Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council, and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of  the Domestic Policy Council 
• What: State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform 
• When: Friday, August 2nd, 12:30pm – 1pm 
• RSVP: www.att-rsvp.com
• Conf. ID: #299662

Additionally, earlier this month, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered remarks at the National Council of La Raza’s annual conference.  The First Lady primarily discussed the epidemic of childhood obesity in America, she also offered words of support on immigration, stating: “Please know that whether it’s implementing health reform or passing common-sense immigration reform, your President and his administration are going to keep working with you and fighting with you every step of the way.  Know that. And I know these debates are hard — particularly on immigration. But do not give up, because I promise you that my husband won’t give up until a good bill gets on his desk.”

In the coming weeks, the White House will continue highlighting the economic benefits of immigration reform and on Friday we will hold a White House Immigration Reform update call to highlight our latest round of economic data.  This is a critical time for you to join the President and others who are making the case for commonsense immigration reform.  Please continue to make your voices heard in your communities, and thank you for your continued efforts to advance this issue!

We also extend a warm welcome to Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muñoz and Director of Hispanic Media Katherine Vargas to Twitter, you can follow them at @Cecilia44 and @Vargas44.

As always, please share with your networks and keep up the momentum in support of immigration reform!

Julie Chávez Rodriguez
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement

Agency Updates

New PSA Urges Participation to Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking
July 24, 2013
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the availability of a Public Service Announcement for download to enhance awareness of human trafficking. “Out of the Shadows,” a product of the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, highlights the fact that the general public walks among victims of human trafficking every day, and it’s time to “open our eyes.”

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Visit to Mexico
July 24, 2013
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Thomas Winkowski, and Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin today traveled to Mexico City where they met with President Enrique Peña Nieto and members of his cabinet to discuss bi-national efforts to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, enhance information sharing and continue efforts to ensure a safer, more secure and more resilient global supply chain.

The Advisory Committee on the Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Scheduled to Meet Aug. 7
July 23, 2013
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that the Advisory Committee on the Operations of CBP (COAC) is scheduled to meet on Aug. 7 in Washington.

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Trip to Mexico and Texas
July 23, 2013
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Thomas Winkowski, and Assistant Secretary of International Affairs Alan Bersin met with Mexican Secretary of the Interior Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong and local law enforcement officials in Matamoros, Mexico to discuss border security operations and the ongoing partnership and cooperation between the United States and Mexico to ensure a safe and secure border region.

Border Crossers in New Mexico Can Now Travel Further Without I-94
July 12, 2013
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that the extension of the border zone in New Mexico for Border Crossing Card holders is now effective. Following publish of the final rule in June with an implementation date 30-days from publish, Border Crossing Card holders can now travel up to 55 miles from the border without obtaining a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

eRegistry a Success at the Executive Office for Immigration Review
July 10, 2013
On June 10, 2013, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) launched its eRegistry, an electronic registration for attorneys and fully accredited representatives who represent aliens in proceedings before EOIR’s immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This notice serves as a reminder to all attorneys and fully accredited representatives who wish to practice before the immigration courts and the BIA to complete the eRegistry process by Dec. 10, 2013. On that date, registration becomes a requirement to appear before EOIR.

Blog Highlights

New Citizens and the American Dream
July 31, 2013
Yesterday, Senior Advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett spoke at a naturalization ceremony for newly naturalized citizens of the United States of America. There were over 700 representatives from 92 countries across 6 continents who became Americans. From the Philippines, to Germany, El Salvador, to Peru, to Australia, and every other corner of the globe, they embodied not just the face of the world, but the face of America.

How Immigration Reform Will Benefit Farmers and Rural Communities
July 29, 2013
The White House released a new report detailing the important benefits provided by the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill for the domestic agriculture sector, its workforce, and rural American communities.

Vice President Biden Meets with Law Enforcement Leaders, Urging Passage of Immigration Reform
July 24, 2013
On Friday, Vice President Biden met with law enforcement leaders from across the country to discuss the impact that our broken immigration system is having on local communities. The meeting was an opportunity to hear directly from the law enforcement officials about the importance of immigration reform from a local law enforcement perspective.

State and Local Leaders Press Case for Commonsense Immigration Reform
July 23, 2013
As commonsense immigration reform moves from the Senate to the House, a growing coalition of elected officials from across the country is urging Congress to fix our broken system.  Last month, we heard from bipartisan state and local officials from the South, Southwest, Northeast, West, and Midwest on why they support immigration reform and how it will help their communities.  In the past few weeks, state and local elected officials have further intensified their efforts to urge Congressional action.

Local Spanish Language Television Reporters Attend “Live from the White House” Series
July 18, 2013
For the first time ever, the White House invited four local Spanish-language television anchors to participate in the “Live from the White House” series, or in this case “En Vivo desde la Casa Blanca”.  During this full day of behind-the-scenes and special access, each reporter had the opportunity to interview President Barack Obama. “Live from the White House” is an initiative which provides reporters outside of the Beltway a unique opportunity to cover the President and the Administration.

Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Common-Sense Immigration Reform
July 16, 2013
Last month, President Obama praised the Senate for passing commonsense immigration reform through a bipartisan bill that is the best opportunity we’ve had in years to fix the Nation’s broken immigration system.  If it were signed into law, this bill would benefit the U.S. economy, foster innovation, and encourage more job creation, as summarized in a recent White House report and animated video.  These benefits stem in part from the significant contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs.

Weekly Address: Strengthening our Economy by Passing Bipartisan Immigration Reform
July 13, 2013
President Obama discusses how a large, bipartisan majority in the Senate voted to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which would add a big boost to our economy, strengthen Social Security, and modernize our legal immigration system to make it more consistent with our values.  He calls on Congress to pass this commonsense bill quickly so that we can fix our broken immigration system and keep America strong for years to come.

White House White Board: Why Immigration Reform is Good for the Economy
July 11, 2013
We put together an animated White House White Board to help explain how fixing our broken immigration system will strengthen the U.S. economy. Check it out to learn more.

Get Involved

White House Immigration Update Conference Call
Please join us on Friday at 12:30pm for a conference call with Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council for an overview of the new State-by-State economic data and the importance of making your voice heard during this critical time in the immigration reform debate.

• Who: Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council, and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council
• What: State-by-State Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform
• When: Friday, August 2nd, 12:30pm – 1pm
• RSVP: www.att-rsvp.com
• Conf. ID: #299662

Host a Roundtable
President Obama is calling for a national conversation on immigration reform that builds a bipartisan consensus to fix our broken immigration system so it works for America’s 21st century economy and security needs, but he can’t do it alone.  That is why we are asking you and other Americans, including business leaders, faith leaders, law enforcement leaders and all Americans that understand that we cannot continue to live with the broken system the way it is – to continue the conversation in your community by hosting a roundtable. Download the White House’s roundtable toolkit to engage in the conversation regarding fixing our broken immigration system!