sun flare at the statue of liberty

The issue 

NRF supports practical, comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the needs of both employers and today’s workforce, particularly when businesses are competing globally to hire highly skilled workers. The current immigration system is broken and in need of bipartisan reform.

Why it matters to retailers 

passport and visa

Many aspects of immigration reform would affect retailers. NRF believes requirements for employers to verify the legal status of employees should be limited to new hires, keep penalties appropriate to the violation, preempt state and local laws, and provide employers with protection against lawsuits. Retailers also need a workable program for obtaining visas for guest workers and reforms to the H-1B visa program for highly skilled workers.

NRF advocates for immigration reform 

NRF has called on Congress to pass “practical, comprehensive” immigration reform that is “both agile and responsive.” Increasing the number of visas available for guest workers and high-tech workers while protecting employers from burdensome enforcement requirements are top priorities for retailers. Efforts to restrict visas would have a significant impact on the retail workforce.

NRF supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and believes proposals to end the program and deport participants would cause significant disruptions in the workforce. NRF has gone to court to fight efforts to dismantle DACA and has called on Congress to pass legislation providing permanent protection to participants. NRF is a member of the Coalition for the American Dream, which supports DACA.