January 21, 2021

Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions  

Statement on President Biden’s proposed immigration reforms 

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions (OBIS) commends President Biden  for his prioritization of immigration reform and for bringing this critical issue to the forefront of  his presidency. We look forward to learning more about the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and  working with our members to engage in the process to ensure our immigration system supports  Ohio’s business community.

Improvements to the current immigration system will have a direct and noticeable impact on  Ohio’s economy. Immigrants account for more than one in four physicians in this country and  across the state, and many more are currently serving as frontline healthcare workers combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, immigrants have a high rate of  entrepreneurship and have contributed over $6 billion dollars to Ohio’s tax base.  

​

Ohio needs a robust workforce for our state economy to continue to grow and compete with  our neighboring states. OBIS believes that improving the immigration system will benefit Ohio  businesses and allow us to attract and retain the global talent we need. 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 our state and the nation.  

​

​

Immigrant contributions to the State of Ohio: 

​

Immigrant Residents in Ohio: 549,537 

Immigrant Share of Ohio’s Population: 4.7% 

Immigrant Taxes Paid: $6.0B 

Immigrant Spending Power: $15.0B 

Immigrant Entrepreneurs: 29,257 

Business Income of Immigrant Entrepreneurs: $894M 

Employees at Immigrant-Owned Firms: 124,536 

More here: https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/locations/ohio/

December 8, 2020

Ohio Business and Industry Leaders Announce New Immigration Coalition

COLOMBUS, OH – Today, business groups in Ohio announced the formation of Ohio Business  for Immigration Solutions (OBIS). Comprised of business organizations from across the state,  the coalition is united in support of commonsense immigration reform and policies that will  allow Ohio’s economy to continue to grow and thrive. OBIS membership is representative of  Ohio’s diverse economy, including chambers of commerce from communities in all corners of  the state, various industry trade associations, and statewide business groups. 

​

This nonpartisan coalition is the first organized effort to provide a unified business voice in Ohio  on immigration issues at the federal, state and local levels. OBIS will work to inform and  educate policymakers on the impacts of various immigration policies and the economic  contributions of immigrants to Ohio’s economy. In 2018 alone, immigrants in Ohio paid $5.7  billion in federal, state, and local taxes, and held $14 billion in spending power.  

​

The coalition was announced today with an open letter to the Ohio congressional delegation  articulating that modernizing the country’s immigration system must be a priority for elected  officials. 

​

“We have joined Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions because we know that immigration  brings innovative, talented workers to Ohio,” said Alex Fischer, president and CEO, Columbus  Partnership. “We must pursue immigration policies that meet the needs of the Columbus  Region and its many growing employers." 

​

“Our primary focus at the Chamber is to drive economic growth and prosperity for Greater  Akron by supporting the success of the business community,” said Steve Millard, President &  CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “The history of Greater Akron is intertwined with the  economic benefit of immigration – from the European, southern and Appalachian immigrants  that made Akron one of America’s fastest growing cities in the early 20th century to a growing  Nepalese community today, the success of our economy relies on continuing to inject and  include new talent, energy and ideas from people that come to, and stay in, Greater Akron.” 

​

A major issue facing businesses in Ohio is attracting and retaining the labor force needed for  business growth. Moreover, businesses often cannot find workers to fill the jobs currently  available, and the immigration system and visa programs are not flexible and responsive to the  real needs of Ohio employers. As policymakers continue the important work of helping the  economy recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they cannot lose sight of the  workforce issues that will continue to challenge Ohio’s growth. Sensible immigration reforms  should be considered to ensure that the recovery works for all Ohioans, including those with  immigrant status. 

​

“The members of the Ohio Grocers Association perform critical work ensuring that Ohioans  have access to a safe and secure food supply. Immigrants play a vital role in this work,” said  Kristin Mullins, President and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association. “We joined Ohio Business  for Immigration Solutions to advocate for policies that strengthen Ohio’s food supply chain  workforce.” 

​

“Our membership is uniquely positioned to realize the impact of immigration on Ohio’s  economy,” said Scott R. Williams, CEO, Ohio REALTORS. “Immigration has helped grow  communities around our state, and REALTORS have been there to assist them in finding homes  for their families. We joined Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions because we need  immigration policies that allow more new Americans to put down roots in Ohio.” 

​

Over the summer and fall, OBIS members worked to develop the Ohio Compact on  Immigration, a document which will guide the work of the coalition. The Ohio Compact on  Immigration is a set of principles agreed upon by OBIS members seeking to elevate the Ohio  business community’s desire to find sensible immigration policy solutions that strengthen  Ohio’s economy.  

​

As the 134th General Assembly and 117th Congress prepare to convene in January, now is the  time for policymakers to put aside partisan differences and work towards policy solutions that  allow our businesses and communities to grow. Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions looks  forward to working with local, state and federal officials to develop immigration policies that  meet the needs of employers in our state. To learn more, visit OHCompact.org. 

​

Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions 

• BioOhio 

• Cincinnati Compass 

• Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber  

• Chamber of Greater Springfield, Ohio 

• Columbus Chamber of Commerce 

• Columbus Partnership 

• Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

• Eastman & Smith LTD 

• Greater Akron Chamber  

• Greater Cleveland Partnership 

• Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce 

• Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati USA 

• Lorain County Chamber of Commerce 

• Ohio Bankers League 

• Ohio Business Roundtable

• Ohio Council for Homecare & Hospice Ohio Grocers Association 

• Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association 

• Ohio Pharmacists Association 

• Ohio REALTORS 

• Ohio Restaurant Association 

• OhioX 

• Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce 

• Tri-Village Chamber Partnership 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2021

Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions
Statement on the Introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021

Earlier today, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 was introduced in Congress. Ohio Business for  Immigration Solutions (OBIS) applauds the introduction of this bill and looks forward to  engaging with Congress as this proposal makes its way through the legislative process. This  proposed legislation is an exciting first step towards meaningful immigration reform that will  benefit Ohio’s business community.  

​

OBIS is a group of more than 30 businesses, industry and trade organizations, and chambers of  commerce that are focused on making the economic and business case for a modernized  immigration system that works for Ohio. As the voice of Ohio’s business community on the  topic of immigration reform, OBIS is uniquely situated to provide feedback on this proposal and  ensure it meets the workforce needs of Ohio’s businesses. OBIS believes that immigration  reforms can help fill some of those workforce needs in our communities and attract high quality  workers to Ohio.  

​

To that end, we are pleased to read that the bill increases the number of employment based  visas from 140,000 to 170,000 annually. Furthermore, the bill provides a meaningful pathway to  citizenship for farmworkers and other undocumented immigrants that have been directly  contributing to Ohio’s economy in a positive way. Common sense proposals such as these will  directly benefit the business community in Ohio and our membership is excited that these  important issues are being brought to the forefront of national conversation.  

​

Useful stats: 

Immigrant Residents: 552,923 

Immigrant Share of Population: 4.7% 

Immigrant Taxes Paid: $5.7B 

Immigrant Spending Power: $14.0B 

Immigrant Entrepreneurs: 26,866 

Employees at Immigrant-Owned Firms: 124,536 

More stats here: https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/locations/ohio/