FWD.us, the Association for a Better New York and New York University hosted an "Immigration Reform for New York State in the 21st Century Economy" panel moderated by Time Warner Cable News NY1 Noticias' "Pura Politica" anchor Juan Manuel Benitz, and featuring New York State Assemblyman Francisco Moya, Center for Political Democracy's Co-Executive Director Ana Maria Archila, Kapitall Co-Founder Serge Kreiker and Personal Democracy Media Founder Andrew Rasiej. While the title of the panel discussion noted immigration reform's effects on the economy, the talks ranged across different areas such as education and the tech sector.

"Right now, immigration reform is incredibly political," said FWD.us National Organizing Director Lisa Conn, adding, "It's one of those issues that you might offend someone if you talk about it because it's so political."

In New York, the topic of immigration reform included the state's version of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Moya, the primary sponsor of the New York DREAM Act legislation, stated that without the bill, the state will have fewer workers on the above-board economy, lower wages earned, less tax revenues and more reliance on social programs.

"All told, the [New York] DREAM Act will only cost the average taxpayer $0.87 cents per year. I think that's a pretty good investment to me, but I think that what we have, we have to really get that message out because not all of my colleagues and elected officials see the value in investing in DREAMers."

According to Moya, future innovators, tech enthusiasts and people in business will never receive an opportunity to excel.

"The next Bill Gates could be among New York DREAMers right now, and we'll never know it," added Moya, "All because they lack a piece of paper."

Moya said New York has fallen behind on issues such as the DREAM Act. He noted Texas, governed by Republican Rick Perry, has passed a version of the same legislation.

"Just think of the potential that we've lost because those young, bright men and women weren't able to go to college," said Moya, citing the lack of financial aid available to DREAMers.

The assemblyman from Queens noted the upcoming election could help the state's DREAM Act pass the New York Senate. As Latin Post reported, the state's DREAM Act passed the New York Assembly on three occasions before it arrived in the state Senate. In March, the New York Senate voted against the legislation with 29 nays, 30 yes votes, 1 absent and 1 excused. Although there were more "yes" votes than negatives, a bill is required to have 32 votes for passage. All New York state Republicans voted no as well as two Democrats — Simcha Felder of Brooklyn and Ted O'Brien of Rochester. Although the Assembly passed the DREAM Act on June 2, the Senate adjourned before the bill could be debated. When the Senate reconvenes later this year, the Assembly will have to pass the DREAM Act for a fourth time.

The Partnership for a New American Economy's report "Map the Impact of Immigration Across the Nation" noted the most common countries of origin for immigrants in New York are China, Jamaica and Mexico. The same report revealed 22.2 percent of the state's population is immigrants. Regional Economic Models, Inc. noted undocumented immigrants who enroll in a legal path to citizenship could generate more than 29,000 jobs in New York and over $2.8 billion for the state by 2020. According to statement from the FWD.us, more than 4 million immigrants live in New York. Establishing a path to citizenship and expanding the H-1B visa program could add more than $2.9 billion to New York's Gross State Product in 2014.

Nationally, Archila addressed the influx of undocumented children crossing the southern U.S. border, citing the increased violence in Central America, "complicated" foreign and domestic policies and the drug wars.

"The reality is that nobody leaves home at age 10 or 15 because they want papers. They leave home because home is not livable," said Archilla, adding, "It's incredibly sad that the response of the country overwhelmingly fails to understand that, first, the humanity of these children. The fact that people migrate because poverty is very real in everyday life and many communities across the world."

Although she sees the chances for immigration reform in Congress as "grim," Archilla stated there is a growing consensus that President Barack Obama does have the authority to address some immigration matters, like he did in 2012 with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) memorandum, but "he can do more."

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