AHAA holds Immigration Forum in Washington DC.

What business does AHAA have in entering the immigration debate? Our business. Hispanics comprise a large majority of the nearly 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country and while the arguments have raged politically and emotionally regarding the negative economic impact of this population segment, few have considered the power of this market as consumers.

With total US Hispanic spending exceeding $9 billion and only a fraction of the undocumented consumption included in that figure, the economic significance is undeniable. AHAA leadership felt compelled to dispel the myths about Hispanic consumers – our consumers – and lead an educated discussion to explore all aspects of this topic amidst conflicting perspectives.

Distinguished experts and panelists Dr. Doug Woodward, director of the Division of Research and professor of economics at The Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina; Dr. Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, D.C.; and, Daniel Griswold, director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies discussed the impact of immigrants as taxpayers, laborers and consumers on the US economy. Carl Kravetz, chairman of AHAA, served as moderator, and opened the forum with an overview of today’s Hispanic population in the US and AHAA’s point of view regarding the immigration issue.

Members of several Hispanic organizations, advertising organizations and media representatives were present for the three-hour panel discussion including presentations from each expert, and an informative question and answer session. AHAA will continue to remain in the forefront of this discussion as the House begins deliberation on reform. One thing on which all of the panelists agreed was that legislative resolution would probably not be reached until next year.

To view presentation CLICK below: http://www.ahaa.org/media/Immigration%20Forum/Immigration%20%20Main%20Page.htm