Navigating uncertainty and calling for real immigration reform

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

I’m coming to you during a challenging time for Minnesota. With recent immigration enforcement activity in our state, many employers are seeking clarity, and we know this moment has raised real questions and uncertainty for businesses across Minnesota. There is growing concern that the current situation is taking a toll on our state’s economic performance, and at the Minnesota Chamber, we are actively supporting our members as they navigate this environment.

We are engaging directly with businesses across the state to understand the impacts on operations, employees and local economies. Our focus remains on helping Minnesota employers manage uncertainty, understand compliance requirements and keep their operations and workforce stable. Members are reaching out with questions, concerns and real-time impacts they’re seeing in their communities, and that feedback is directly informing our approach.

We recognize the complexity of federal immigration requirements and the need for clear, practical guidance. In response, the Chamber is gathering up-to-date information, legal guidance, and compliance resources to help employers understand their responsibilities and options. This information is available on our website and is built on legal expertise, policy analysis and business best practices – relying on facts, not speculation or misinformation.

As federal enforcement activity continues, we are closely monitoring developments and will continue to communicate clearly as conditions evolve. Our goal is to ensure employers have the resources they need so they can focus on running their businesses and supporting their employees.

At the same time, we must look beyond the immediate crisis and address the larger challenge facing our immigration system. States cannot solve immigration issues on their own. Immigration policy must be addressed at the federal level, and when states or cities attempt to act independently, it often leads to confusion, conflict and uncertainty for employers and workers alike.

The Minnesota Chamber has long supported – and will continue to advocate for – meaningful federal immigration reform. We need a legal immigration system that reflects today’s economic realities and meets our national and state workforce needs. That includes modernizing immigration pathways, creating rules that allow sufficient and legal migration to support our economy, and improving systems that currently fall short for both employers and workers. Temporary programs alone are not enough, and the lack of a simple, accurate and affordable employment verification system continues to create challenges across the private sector.

The bottom line is this: our current immigration system was designed decades ago and no longer meets the needs of today’s economy. We are calling on federal leaders to provide clarity, consistency and reform so the private sector can operate with confidence. We do not condone illegal activity, and we firmly believe that legal immigration reform is essential to Minnesota’s economic future and workforce growth.

This issue is a core part of our Economic Imperative for Growth. Without a strong business sector, a growing workforce and confident consumers, it becomes much harder to create opportunity here in Minnesota. Our goal is to grow opportunity – not push it away.

Thank you for being part of and involved with the Minnesota Chamber. We are here to support your business and help you succeed and grow in our great state. Thanks for joining for this week’s episode of the  Minnesota Business Podcast, and I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend.