Business owner voices concerns over immigration law hurdles

Published: 2006-02-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Though she's an immigrant herself, Carmen Larsen took a long time to come around to the idea of hiring immigrants for her own company. But having turned that corner eight years ago, Larsen understands the advantages and complications of hiring immigrants. She also has developed strong feelings about the problems with the current immigration system, as well as some clear ideas about how it ought to be changed. As a board member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, Md., Larsen is among the nation's business owners who are encouraging Congress to adopt immigration legislation that addresses more than just enforcement problems. An enforcement-only bill passed in the House in December has been broadly criticized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, its Hispanic counterpart, immigrant advocacy groups, labor unions and religious institutions, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Those organizations are lobbying for legislation that also would address systemic problems with legal immigration and provide a way for illegal immigrants currently in the country to regularize their status.

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