Washington, D.C. — The National Roofing Contractors Association reiterated its support for the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), bipartisan legislation to reform immigration policy and strengthen border security. NRCA commends Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and other co-sponsors for their leadership in putting forward this proposal to provide balanced solutions for secure borders and reforms that address industry workforce needs.
The continued lack of attention to immigration reform by Congress is completely unacceptable given the crisis facing our nation. NRCA has been advocating for balanced immigration reform for more than two decades with member small business owners having testified before Congress numerous times beginning in 2004. With President Trump having secured the border, it is imperative Congress redouble bipartisan efforts to address immigration reform that meets the needs of the roofing industry and broader American public.
The Dignity Act contains solutions to further secure the border and fix our broken immigration system. It will provide for enhanced border security on a long-term basis and combat illegal immigration by phasing in use of an enhanced E-Verify system over a multiyear period. Critically, it establishes the Dignity Program that provides the opportunity for individuals with Temporary Protected Status, those in the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program and long-term undocumented individuals to earn lawful permanent status through work experience, military service or higher education. It also provides new resources for expanded workforce training for American workers. The bill is fully funded by restitution payments and application fees made by participants and utilizes no taxpayer funding.
“NRCA strongly supports the Dignity Act; it includes balanced reforms that are vital to sustaining a strong economy while meeting our national security needs,” says McKay Daniels, NRCA’s CEO. “We urge Congress to act now to help ensure America’s roofing contractors can continue providing affordable, life-sustaining shelter to all Americans and help build our nation’s economic prosperity.”
Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the nation’s oldest trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals worldwide. NRCA’s nearly 4,000 member companies represent all segments of the industry, including contractors, manufacturers, distributors, consultants and other employers in all 50 states and internationally. NRCA members are typically small, privately held companies with the average member employing 45 people and attaining sales of $4.5 million per year. The U.S. roofing industry is an essential $100 billion sector with nearly 1 million employees that provides critical materials and services to ensure home and business safety.
For more information, contact Duane Musser, NRCA’s vice president of government relations, at 202-546-7584 or dmusser@nrca.net.