Senator took questions from small business owners and detailed solutions she’s proposed that would lessen the border and immigration crisis’s impact on local businesses, food prices, national security, and more
PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema held a fireside chat and town hall with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council and Arizona small businesses to discuss solutions strengthening border security, addressing needed immigration reform, and retaining and expanding Arizona’s economic competitiveness.
The Senator spoke with local business owners, experts, and community and civic leaders about how the ongoing border and immigration crisis impacts the local economy – including jobs and employment, trade and wages, and food prices, and cost of living – and how her proposed solutions would give Arizona families and businesses peace of mind.
“Arizonans have been through so many challenges over the past few years – and I’ve been hard at work delivering solutions that help Arizonans build better lives for themselves and their families. On behalf of our great state, I’ll stay laser-focused on delivering lasting results that help everyday Arizonans feel more secure and get ahead,” said Sinema.
Sinema discussed a host of issues with Arizonans and the U.S. Hispanic Business Council. Sinema answered questions ranging from border security to immigration reform, to combating the flow of fentanyl across the border into Arizona communities, to her role as an effective, bipartisan dealmaker in Congress.
The Senator underscored how her approach – building consensus, refusing to demonize those with whom she disagrees, and toning down the temperature in Washington – has cut through partisan gridlock to deliver real, lasting solutions for the Grand Canyon State.
On the border and immigration crisis, Sinema stressed how a functioning immigration system is essential for Arizona’s – and America’s – economy. Sinema outlined her bipartisan proposal with Republican Senator Thom Tillis and how it will help meet workforce challenges and ensure our nation’s global competitiveness; fuel investments in Border Patrol Agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations Officers; improve control of the border through increased enforcement, technology, resources, and more; modernize the asylum system; and establish a pathway for legal citizenship for roughly 2 million Dreamers who were brought to this country when they were children through no fault of their own.
Additionally, Sinema pointed to bipartisan bills she’s introducing and supporting that would reduce the amount of fentanyl coming into Arizona – including the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which targets the profit cartels make through drug trafficking, and the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act, which cracks down on cartels that recruit and exploit young Arizonans to smuggle drugs across the border. Both of Sinema’s bills cleared their respective committees and are moving forward with broad bipartisan support.
The town hall was hosted by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council and moderated by President & CEO, Javier Palomarez. Featured panelists included Jonathan Lines, Chairman of the Border Security Alliance; Lea Marquez Peterson, Commissioner of the Arizona Corporation Commission; Jonathan Sarager, Senior Director of the Western Growers Association; and Aaron Graham, Executive Director of Brand Safety & Security at Boehringer Ingelheim.
The mission of the U.S. Hispanic Business Council (USHBC) is to empower Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States by advocating for people and policies that support their advancement. By fostering economic growth and development within the Hispanic community, the USHBC contributes to the overall success and prosperity of the country.