ATLANTA, GA – FWD.us Georgia State Immigration Manager Jaime Rangel issued the following statement after the Georgia House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 11 yesterday to create a House Study Committee on Innovative Ways to Maximize Global Talent in Georgia to address the barriers faced by immigrants and refugees in the state:

“We applaud the work today by Representative Wes Cantrell (R-Woodstock) and his colleagues in the State House to take an important step to ensure Georgia can reinvigorate its economy by maximizing contributions and workforce participation of our state’s immigrants and refugees. For generations, immigrants from all backgrounds have driven our state’s success by contributing to the innovation and diversity of Georgia’s economy as well as our communities. As we continue our local and economic response efforts to the coronavirus pandemic, we must fully recognize the significant role that immigrants play to keep our state’s essential businesses up and running. This includes industries ranging from healthcare to small business operations to farming and agriculture. With more than a tenth of Georgia’s population comprising immigrants, they have and will remain critical members of the Peach State. With a unanimous vote in favor of this legislation, it shows legislators’ commitment and willingness to create a stronger Georgia and I thank them for their efforts. We look forward to continuing our work with Members of this House Study Committee to understand the barriers that immigrants and refugees face today to maximize their true potential for the benefit of all Georgians.”