Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-04

SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES

ImmigrationTrade

Context

On 2026-02-04, Representative George Latimer (D-NY-16) delivered a floor speech titled "SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered trade policy.

Full Text

SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1992] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, every day I hear from small business owners about the challenges of operating in this economy. In the past year, small businesses have faced unrelenting attacks from this administration on everything from tariffs to immigration enforcement. According to a recent survey from the Small Business Majority, 47 percent of small business owners say that increased Federal immigration enforcement has had a negative impact on their business. Many small businesses have lost revenue or had to modify their operations because employees and customers are afraid to come to work or to patronize their business. When masked ICE agents in full tactical gear inflict violence against American citizens and then show up at businesses without identifying themselves, small businesses pay the price. Most businessowners support commonsense immigration reform to modernize the legal immigration system to make it easier for qualified workers to come into the U.S. legally, but in Minnesota, following the tragic shootings, more than 60 Minneapolis-based business leaders called for cooperation to de-escalate tensions and achieve durable immigration reforms. It is important for this body to hold Federal immigration officials accountable and ensure that small businesses do not bear the brunt of this administration's immigration enforcement abuses. ____________________

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SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1992] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SMALL BUSINESSES BEAR BRUNT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ABUSES (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, every day I hear from small business owners about the challenges of operating in this economy. In the past year, small businesses have faced unrelenting attacks from this administration on everything from tariffs to immigration enforcement. According to a recent survey from the Small Business Majority, 47 percent of small business owners say that increased Federal immigration enforcement has had a negative impact on their business. Many small businesses have lost revenue or had to modify their operations because employees and customers are afraid to come to work or to patronize their business. When masked ICE agents in full tactical gear inflict violence against American citizens and then show up at businesses without identifying themselves, small businesses pay the price. Most businessowners support commonsense immigration reform to modernize the legal immigration system to make it easier for qualified workers to come into the U.S. legally, but in Minnesota, following the tragic shootings, more than 60 Minneapolis-based business leaders called for cooperation to de-escalate tensions and achieve durable immigration reforms. It is important for this body to hold Federal immigration officials accountable and ensure that small businesses do not bear the brunt of this administration's immigration enforcement abuses. ____________________