Pa. business group supports immigration reform

As Congress returns to Washington this week, advocates for comprehensive immigration reform are holding events throughout the Delaware Valley in a show of support.

Business leaders and owners swapped war stories in Philadelphia Thursday.

One builder said his contractors can’t find help. The owner of an engineering firm said he needs more skilled workers — many of whom may come from other countries.

Sam Denisco, the vice president of government affairs at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, called for a complete overhaul of the alphabet soup of American immigration visas.

“We’d rather not see one piece get done and not another, because we think broad-based reform is direly needed,” Denisco said.

The U.S. Senate has passed a comprehensive bill but the House is currently considering only select pieces of legislation. Denisco said that such an approach would mean picking winners and losers.

Events throughout the week include a town hall and a prayer vigil.