Gutierrez: Immigration reform vital to nation's economy

Oct 1, 2007 12:17 PM PDT

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez says the economy will suffer if Congress doesn't pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Gutierrez said during a visit to the University of South Carolina that the United States doesn't have enough workers to keep the economy growing.

The native of Cuba told business students at the university that the nation must either come together on a policy or face a declining economy.

He says if lawmakers are able to succeed on immigration reform the advantages will last for the rest of this century.

Gutierrez came to the college with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The two got to know each other while crafting immigration legislation that failed in Congress.

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