The members of OBIS are committed to promoting immigration reforms that will strengthen our economy, attract and retain global talent, and bring new businesses to our state. The Ohio Compact on Immigration is a set of principles developed by OBIS members seeking to elevate the Ohio business community’s desire to find sensible public policy solutions, above partisanship and rhetoric, for the challenges currently present in our immigration system. The language of the Ohio Compact on Immigration is the result of a collaborative effort among Ohio business groups and reflects the unique perspective of the Buckeye state. The Ohio Compact on Immigration contains the following core concepts:

STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY & WORKFORCE
For our state economy to grow and compete, Ohio needs a robust workforce and policies that prioritize attracting and retaining talent. The federal immigration system must be flexible enough to address the needs of businesses and their employees. This includes a visa system that is both responsive to, and effective at, meeting the demands of Ohio’s economy and the industries that drive growth in our state.

A COMMONSENSE APPROACH
Immigrants have always been, and remain, an important part of our communities. We must adopt a commonsense approach to immigration that reflects our long- established values and recognizes the critical role immigration has played in the history, economy, and culture of both our state and the nation. Our immigration policies must provide a sensible path forward for immigrants wishing to come to our country and a permanent resolution for those who are of good character, pay taxes, and are committed to becoming fully participating members of our society and culture, but lack legal status.

COMPETITIVE COMMUNITIES
We understand the communities that grow and attract talent are the ones that are welcoming to all. We support local policies that provide a welcoming environment for immigrants, as well as provide residents with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

FAMILY
Strong families are critical to developing successful individuals and cohesive communities. Our immigration policies, where possible, should prioritize keeping families together in order to ensure the most supportive home environments for all children across our state.

FEDERAL SOLUTIONS
Immigration policy is a federal issue between the U.S. government and other countries. We urge our Ohio congressional delegation to work to enact immigration policy at the federal level that improves our immigration system, keeps our communities safe, protects our borders and facilitates trade.