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White House Touts Economic Benefits Of President's Immigration Reform
Mónica Ortiz Uribe
Families in Anthony, New Mexico just across the Texas border hold up posters in support of immigration reform during a visit from two area congressmen.
The White House is making the case that the President's executive action on immigration will have a positive impact on the nation's economy. This week, officials are focused on Texas.
President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisers estimates that over the next decade Texas's economy could grow between $8 billion and $19 billion as a result of his executive action on immigration.
That action would give deportation relief to millions of immigrants living in the country illegally.
The estimate is based on more immigrants entering the legal workforce, buying homes and starting their own businesses.
The Pew Research Center estimates that 9 percent of Texas's workforce is made up of unauthorized workers.
Stan Marek is the CEO of a Texas construction company. He supports the president's action and wants Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
"It's a broken system," he said. "And it holds down the standard of living for all of the legal workers."
Texas is leading a coalition of 26 states, including Arizona, suing the federal government over the president's executive action on immigration.