Immigration Reform Impact Study
Survey Highlights Cause for Concern, Opportunity for Collaboration
The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) recently conducted a second survey to assess the economic impact of Immigration Reform.
Survey results show that when asked about current labor availability, 71% of the restaurants surveyed are experiencing a labor shortage. In addition, 88% are concerned that they will face a labor shortage in the future. Despite persistently high unemployment rates in Georgia, 22% indicated that they have already noticed a decline in job applicants.
On November 15, GRA Executive Director Karen Bremer testified again on the survey results at a Senate Democratic Special Committee on Immigration. Her
testimony outlined the nature of the challenges the restaurant industry now faces as a result of HB 87.
The following day Bremer sent a
letter to legislators calling upon public and private sectors to “work together to stem current and potential labor shortages caused by attempts to reform a complex federal issue on the state level.”
Resources:
First Immigration Reform Impact Survey: July 27th
Second Immigration Reform Impact Survey: November 15th
