Business

600-plus business groups press for immigration

More than 600 business organizations, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Apple to McDonald's, have sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) pressing him to move on immigration legislation this year.

Posted Updated
Immigration
By
DONNA CASSATA
, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — More than 600 business organizations, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Apple to McDonald's, have sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) pressing him to move on immigration legislation this year.

The 636 groups said "failure to act is not an option" and implored Boehner to move on legislation to fix the immigration system.

Immigration legislation has stalled in the House. Boehner and GOP leaders unveiled a set of principles last month, but rank-and-file members have shown little inclination to tackle the divisive issue in an election year.

Boehner blamed distrust of President Barack Obama among his GOP caucus for the House's unwillingness to deal with the issue.

The letter was signed by 246 businesses from around the country and 390 business associations. The North Carolina Chamber, North Carolina Farm Bureau, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce are among the 13 North Carolina groups that signed the petition.

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