Business Council Blasts Immigration Policy, Demands Economic Overhaul

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 06, 2026

In a forceful denunciation of current federal immigration strategy, the United States Hispanic Business Council (USHBC) today called for a major overhaul of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), demanding an end to what it describes as a chaotic and economically damaging enforcement-only approach. The influential small business advocacy group leveraged the hypothetical departure of a hardline DHS secretary to issue its strongest statement yet on the collision between immigration policy and the nation's economic needs.

Javier Palomarez, the President and CEO of the USHBC, commended President Trump for efforts to secure the Southern border but warned that the administration’s legacy was being threatened by a misguided and brutal enforcement strategy. “Since the start of this Administration, DHS has found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons,” Palomarez stated. He argued that the department’s actions have far exceeded a mandate for simple enforcement.

“Immigration enforcement is a serious responsibility entrusted to the federal government, and it demands discipline, sound judgment, and a clear understanding of how enforcement decisions ripple throughout our communities,” Palomarez said. Instead, he painted a picture of a department that has caused “civilian deaths, widespread community disruption, weakened public confidence and ultimately left an indelible mark on this administration.”

The USHBC’s statement cited a year of controversy that it claims has resulted in the deportation of hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, nearly three-quarters of whom have no criminal record. The council also pointed to at least 38 detainee deaths and eight fatal shootings by federal agents as evidence of a strategy that has spiraled out of control, creating long-term uncertainty for the small business community dependent on migrant labor.

A Call for Business-Friendly Solutions

Beyond its sharp critique, the USHBC is actively championing a slate of legislative proposals designed to bridge the gap between national security and economic stability. The organization is urging Congress and the administration to move past political gridlock and embrace what it calls common-sense reforms that support the American economy.

Central to their advocacy is the Dignity Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). The comprehensive legislation aims to pair significant investments in border security with a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants who have been living and working in the U.S. The bill would create a “Dignity Program” allowing participants to work legally and pay restitution over a period of years, eventually earning permanent residency.

Another key proposal is the Strengthening Our Workforce Act, sponsored by Congressman Gabe Vasquez (D-NM). This bill is more narrowly focused on addressing critical labor shortages by streamlining and expanding the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for agricultural and seasonal non-agricultural workers, respectively. For industries like construction and hospitality, such reforms are seen as a vital lifeline.

Furthermore, the USHBC has developed its own market-based proposal, the TRUMP Visa. This conceptual framework aims to create a flexible, economically driven visa program tied directly to U.S. labor market needs. The idea is to allow employers in sectors with proven worker shortages to legally and efficiently hire foreign workers, thereby stabilizing their operations and promoting growth.

“I hope that Senator Mullin, once confirmed, will refocus the immigration strategy on sustainable business-friendly policy,” Palomarez noted, expressing a desire for new leadership to prioritize genuine public safety threats while respecting due process and economic realities.

The Political Realities of Reform

The USHBC’s statement used South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as a figurehead for the hardline policies it opposes. While Governor Noem does not serve as DHS Secretary, she has established a national reputation for her tough stance on border security, including deploying her state’s National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support Texas’s enforcement operations. Her actions and rhetoric are emblematic of the security-first approach that business groups argue ignores economic consequences.

The council’s hope for a more business-centric leader is pinned on figures like Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), whom the press release mentioned as a potential nominee. However, a review of the senator’s record reveals a consistent focus on border security and enforcement that aligns with the mainstream of his party. Before his time in the Senate, Mullin served in the House of Representatives, where he frequently voted for measures to increase funding for the border wall and tighten asylum rules. While he has acknowledged the needs of some sectors like agriculture, his public emphasis has remained squarely on controlling illegal immigration.

This political landscape highlights the steep challenge faced by the USHBC and its allies. They are advocating for a nuanced policy that balances enforcement with economic pragmatism in a political environment that often rewards absolutist positions. The path forward for any proposed legislation, including the widely discussed Dignity Act, remains fraught with obstacles in a deeply divided Congress.

Economic Pressures Mount on Main Street

The urgency behind the USHBC’s advocacy is rooted in the tangible economic pain experienced by its members. Across the country, small and medium-sized businesses in critical sectors are facing a severe labor crisis that they attribute directly to a broken immigration system. Unpredictable enforcement actions and a lack of viable legal pathways for workers create a climate of profound instability.

In agriculture, reports from the American Farm Bureau Federation have for years warned of crops rotting in fields due to a lack of workers. In construction, labor shortages are a key driver of rising costs and project delays, exacerbating the nation’s housing affordability crisis. The hospitality industry, from restaurants to hotels, consistently struggles to fill essential roles, limiting service capacity and hindering growth.

Economic studies from a wide range of institutions, from the libertarian Cato Institute to the progressive Center for American Progress, have consistently shown that immigrants, including the undocumented, are vital to the labor force and have higher rates of entrepreneurship than the native-born population. By creating uncertainty and removing workers from the economy, aggressive enforcement actions not only disrupt businesses but also reduce the consumer base and stifle the creation of new enterprises.

For the USHBC, the message is clear: immigration is not just a matter of border security but is a fundamental component of American economic policy. The council’s call to action is a plea for policymakers to recognize that the stability of Main Street businesses in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and technology depends on a system that is orderly, legal, and reflective of the nation's workforce needs.