Nelson: New Americans living in N.D. play an important role in our workforce
North Dakota has approximately a 2.5 percent unemployment rate. The consequence of a rate this low is that employers are often unable to find employees for the jobs available. Economic development experts have noted that with 50,000 people leaving the workforce due to retirement, the major deterrent to economic development in our region is the lack of an employee pool.
We all love a full employment economy, but at about 2.5 percent unemployment, there are some downsides. Think of nursing homes running shifts which are less than fully-staffed. Senior residents will simply not have the level of care one would hope for because of the shortage of personnel to provide the care. There are businesses in every corner of the state delaying expansion because of the inability to find additional workers.
It does not make sense for North Dakota's representatives in Congress to rally against immigration — including sending back those who have lived here for many years — like the letter published Jan. 23 by District 23 GOP Judy Estenson so boldly proclaimed.
The New Americans living in North Dakota play an important role in a workforce which is already short-handed. For our state and its prosperous communities, a reasonable immigration law must not be just another chapter in national partisanship based on targeting a group of men, women and children for some kind of perceived political gain.
We need the workers and we need a reasonable, comprehensive immigration law.
Nelson is a member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
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