Houston construction company CEO Stan Marek is calling for solutions to immigration other than President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans.
In a phone interview with KPRC 2’s Rilwan Balogun, Marek called migrants ‘essential’ to industries.
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“President-elect Trump’s plans for a mass deportation have raised concerns all over the country, especially here in Texas,” Marek writes in a letter shared with KPRC 2. “Remember, there has not been a major change in our immigration law since President Reagan’s Immigration Reform Act of 1986.”
As part of Trump’s bid to return to the White House, he pledged a vast immigration crackdown including deporting millions of people through raids and detainment camps.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced last week that her office is identifying property to be ready for the Trump administration when they take office in January.
Trump told NBC News there is “no price tag” on his deportation plans. The reality is that mass deportations are very expensive. Trump has promised the “largest deportation operation in the history of our country,” and the costs could run into the billions.
In Marek’s letter he offered the incoming administration several options for solutions while advocating for securing the border.
“We must secure our borders. Stopping the flow of human trafficking, drugs and guns is a priority for everyone,” he writes.
His letter focuses on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients.
“They put down roots, bought houses, and are raising their families. Their American born kids are an important part of building our country’s greatest asset, our future workforce,” Marek writes. “We have spent billions educating these kids and having them worrying about being separated from their parents makes no sense.”
Marek agrees the new administration should first seek out undocumented migrants with criminal records such as gang members.
The Marek Construction Chairman and CEO then said the country should find a ‘no-cost approach’ for law abiding migrants:
- Identify those who have been here over five years who can pass a background check
- Use facial recognition or digital fingerprints to provide them a tamper proof ID
- Require them to pay a fine as well as a registration fee
- They would have to work for an employer who pays and matches payroll taxes, just like Dreamers as well as Visa workers do now.
- This is not a path to citizenship. It gives them guest worker status only.
Marek believes comprehensive immigration reform should be bipartisan.
“I hope the President-elect uses this as an opportunity to work with Congress to pass sensible immigration reform that reflects the wishes of the majority of Americans. Find the things we agree on and start there,” Marek writes.
