Tell candidates immigration reform is vital for business

As the caucuses once again place Iowa early at the center of presidential politics, it is critical the issues of immigration reform take center stage.

The business case as a vital Iowa interest is clear. Immigrants make an important and critical contribution to the state economy. Between 2000 and 2011, Iowa's immigration population increased 47 percent. Iowa's 5,000 immigrant business owners generate $216 million in business income each year. Whether it is in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, hospitality or the services sectors, the impact has been positive and sustained.

These businesses not only add revenue to the economy, but also create jobs in our communities and help revitalize our neighborhoods. Communities like Perry and Marshalltown have seen populations grow and home values increase due to new residents.

As Iowa continues to evolve into a competitive technology and innovation state, employers and teaching institutions will demand highly educated students and professionals skilled in science, technology, engineering and math to address one of the most severe workforce challenges in the nation, according to the Partnership for a New American Economy.

The implications for 2016 presidential candidates, especially Republicans, are particularly challenging. The image of a Republican congress' continued failure to pass meaningful reform gives candidate Hillary Clinton a free pass to exploit the intransigence and gridlock in Washington.

But this need not be the case. Republican presidential candidates have an open door to begin the immigration debate anew.

Immigration reform is essential to our nation's security and vital to Iowa's economic health. Without meaningful reform job creation withers, workforce shortages rise, economic growth stagnates and U.S. competitiveness declines.

The national implications are also clear; voter demographics and voter opinion have changed. This is especially the case among minority and young voters who share conservative values on economic and social issues but are repelled by the far right's extremist rhetoric on immigration and deterred from aligning themselves with Republican candidates.

Therefore, it is neither inconceivable nor incompatible for Republican (conservative) candidates for the presidency to actively pursue meaningful immigration reform.

However, Republican 'ideological and movement” conservatives should take a lesson from the originator of modern conservatism, Edmond Burke, who said 'the task of statesmen was to maintain equilibrium between the two principals of conservation and correction”, and to govern was to engage in perpetual compromise. True conservatism seeks order and balance.

The stakes are high. As Iowa once again takes its place in the national political spotlight, the demand for a serious discussion of immigration reform is required. As citizens meet and greet candidates in their homes and communities, meaningful immigration reform must be conveyed as vital to Iowa interests.

' Ronald N. Langston served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush and was legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Roger W. Jepsen, of Iowa. Comments: RNLIowa@aol.com