Deportation of immigrants is a major election issue for small business owners


AS VOTING STARTS in the 2024 presidential election, six in every 10 small business owners are worried that cutbacks on immigration will damage their ability to hire qualified workers, according to a new poll.

Former president Donald Trump has promised that if he wins the election he will unleash a mass deportation of immigrants in the country and will seal the border to newcomers.

Business owners, already battling with staff shortages, are afraid that doing so will make it even harder for them to find new talent, particularly as the birthrate in the U.S. is declining.

The survey was conducted by National Write Your Congressman (NWYC), an organization that gives small business a voice in government.

The survey found an increase in business owners’ trust, satisfaction and hope in Congress compared with last year’s findings, but almost nine in 10 respondents say the U.S. economic environment is harming their businesses.

Almost seven in 10 are concerned and fearful that the U.S. economy is moving in the wrong direction.

"Small business owners are deeply concerned about how the election results may impact their business, especially given the current economic challenges," said Randy Ford, President and COO of National Write Your Congressman.

"However, it's encouraging to see an increase in trust, satisfaction, and hope in Congress over the last four years. Business owners remain resilient, and we encourage them to continue advocating for their business priorities in Washington, ensuring their voices are heard."

Findings

Other findings in the poll:

  • Only three percent of small business owners are still deciding or are unsure whom they will vote for in the 2024 presidential election.
  • Immigration, inflation, the U.S. economy, taxes, and the U.S. debt ceiling and government spending are the most import topics business owners want candidates to address. "With higher costs of products, labor, and living expenses, I hope that the president would work to implement changes not only in the regulations that affect our business but will try and reduce the high cost of government in our lives," said Patrick Hanon, Owner, O’Hanon’s LLC in Farmington, New Mexico.
  • Sixteen percent of business owners are worried the U.S. economy will decline due to the November 2024 election. Only four percent of business owners remain optimistic that the U.S. economy is heading in the right direction.
  • Small businesses are facing challenges as 35 percent report a decline in performance, a 13 percent jump from last quarter. Nearly half have remained stagnant, while only 16 percent are experiencing growth—down from 19 percent in the previous quarter. "Our business has not thrived but maintained for the past three years.  Inflation has caused us to endure an economic flatline," said Shannon Lang, Havener’s Termite & Insect Control located in multiple locations across Missouri.
  • Fifty-eight percent of business owners believe their elected U.S. Congressional Members know their opinions on important issues. Forty-one percent believe their elected Congressional Members act according to their constituents' input, an increase from Q2 2024. "We need real leaders to lead our country. Someone who can relate to the everyday issues of businesses and individuals," said Todd Hendricks Sr., Founder of Pioneer Industrial Systems, LLC located in multiple locations across Ohio.

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