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On the heels of this week’s United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference, which attracted small businesses from across the country, Politico reported on the critical and growing role that immigrants play in the revival of the U.S. economy.  Some interesting facts: 

Immigrants started one-quarter of all venture-backed public companies between 1990 and 2005.

…minorities could account for more than $2.5 trillion by 2010 — nearly one in every $4 of U.S. consumer spending.

In Los Angeles County… the self-employment rate among immigrants is more than 10 percent — almost twice that for the native-born. Nationwide… the number of all Latino establishments increased by nearly three times the national average, while those owned by all Asians expanded by two times.

The piece provides further evidence that Congress must handle this issue with the utmost care lest it jeopardize fragile economic recovery.

Cassidy CEO Marty Russo contrubutes his view on the People Priority at the National Journal Under the Influence Blog.

While the administration prepares for an historic legislative milestone with health care reform, another legislative battle looms – on immigration.  This issue poses challenges for both parties.  For congressional Democrats and especially the President, the question is all about timing.  Are they ready for another tough legislative battle?  For Republicans, the issue boils down to whether they want to risk further alienating certain factions within their party.

 In an op-ed released this week,  Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham, outline what they see as the “four pillars” of immigration reform:

Our plan has four pillars: requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs; fulfilling and strengthening our commitments on border security and interior enforcement; creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and implementing a tough but fair path to legalization for those already here.

Each of these issues will raise concerns among powerful interests.  Businesses will be pushing for reforms to ease the burden they feel from an arcane verification system.  Organized labor will be worried about future immigration flow.  Immigrant advocacy groups will push for health insurance coverage.  Look for faith-based groups to push for reform on humanitarian grounds.  In effect, immigration reform will bring out many of the same players we are seeing voice their positions on health care reform.  While this week’s bipartisan proposal is an interesting start, the real action has yet to begin!

Cassidy CEO Marty Russo outlines three important legislative goals for Democrats on the Under the Influence experts blog.

Here’s an interesting piece from good people at Columbia University’s The Morningside Post featuring Richard Boly of the State Department, discussing efforts their to integrate the use of digital tools in the U.S. diplomatic efforts. In this forum, Boly, director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of eDiplomacy, spends a fair amount of time talking about their internal efforts.

However, State also have a very aggressive outward facing effort going across several social media platforms which was very active during the relief efforts in Haiti.