MIAMI – As the country waits for President Donald Trump to release a revised version of his executive order on immigration, new information is emerging about the economic impact of immigrants in South Florida.
"Miami is a successful immigrant story, and we've got a lot to brag about," U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., said Tuesday.
The congresswoman joined U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez on Tuesday, standing with entrepreneurs who have made South Florida their home.
The entrepreneurs are among more than 2.3 million immigrants in the Miami-metro area, making up about 40 percent of the population and bringing in more than $40 billion in spending power and a $13 billion immigrant tax base.
"We should feel privileged that people from all over the world want to come here," Curbelo said. "Does it have to be an orderly process? Absolutely. Do we have to protect our people from those who want to come and do us harm? Without a doubt."
Curbelo called on the White House to work with Congress on much-needed immigration reform in the wake of walkouts, protests and demonstrations in response to Trump's controversial executive orders on immigration.
"We are a global city and we have to make sure that people from across the world feel comfortable, feel safe, can come here legally and can participate in that present-day and future economy," Suarez said.
Asked if she was confident in the new presidential administration, Ros-Lehtinen said she wants the president to succeed.
"Because if he succeeds, America succeeds," she said. "But if success is measured by how many people you're going to be deporting -- yikes."