# Dean Peter Henry explains why immigration policy is important for the US economy

1 Faculty News December 4, 2014>

Excerpt from [Bloomberg](http://www.bloomberg.com/video/gop-launches-state-lawsuits-in-immigration-strategy-7B8k3FPUT4O1Ul5tV68Hmg.html) -- "The immigration issue... is an economic issue, frankly. We've got a shortage of skilled workers in this country. Even... putting aside the amnesty issue, we need more high-skilled numbers. The United States's key competitive advantage has been the fact that we're an open society and we take in skilled workers, and right now we have a shortage of skilled workers in this country. And immigration policy is a key to economic growth."

[Watch the video](http://www.bloomberg.com/video/gop-launches-state-lawsuits-in-immigration-strategy-7B8k3FPUT4O1Ul5tV68Hmg.html)

Additional coverage appeared on [Bloomberg Businessweek](http://www.businessweek.com/videos/2014-12-04/gop-launches-state-lawsuits-in-immigration-strategy).