Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber Joins Coalition on Skilled Worker Immigration Reform

06 Feb 2013

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Chambers Nationwide to Advocate for Improved Access to International Talent

The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber today announced its participation in “Business for Skilled Worker Immigration,” a coalition of more than 35 chambers of commerce to date, from across the country working together to advance skilled worker immigration reform as a means of driving job creation, innovation and overall economic growth through improved across to international talent and the creation of pathways for more entrepreneurs to launch businesses in this country.

With talent a key driver of the economy, coalition members seek to bring increased focus on the critical challenge of improving access to top international talent. “The Albany metro area ranks sixth in the U.S. for STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) worker visas. There is a significant demand for skilled technical employees in Capital Region. We look to Congress to provide business the ability to access and obtain talent around the world to enable the continued growth of Tech Valley," said Mark Eagan, President and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber.

The group is focused on three specific proposals designed to improve current skilled worker immigration policy:

Increasing the availability of temporary, skilled worker (H-1B) visas;
Increasing the availability of permanent resident visas (green cards) for STEM graduates and workers; and
Creating new startup visas for immigrant entrepreneurs who launch businesses in the U.S. and meet certain employment and financing goals.

Business for Skilled Worker Immigration represents a strong cross-section of the nation’s business community, with broad geographic diversity among its members. The coalition will urge Congress to address this important talent issue as part of broader-based immigration reform expected to be taken up this session.

A full list of coalition members is below and available on the coalition web page, along with additional information about Business for Skilled Worker Immigration.National Business for Skilled Worker Immigration Coalition Members:

National Business for Skilled Worker Immigration Coalition Members:

Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
CEO Council for Growth / Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
Greater Louisville Inc.
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Rockford Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1900, the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber, with 2,300 members who employ over 110,000 citizens, is a proactive advocate for policies and projects that will improve the business climate and enhance the economic vitality of the Capital Region. From grassroots development, direct lobbying, and coalition building, the Regional Chamber is at the forefront of building and influencing a future full of opportunity. For more information, please visit acchamber.org.