Straight Talk: Immigrants Benefit Pittsburgh

President Trump’s disputed executive order banning immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries is having a chilling effect.  It’s particularly concerning for our region whose future is so closely tied to the enriching benefits of immigrants.  Fulfillment of jobs comes from either training of locals, immigration of new workers, or outsourcing.  The Pittsburgh region’s long time population decline would be even more precipitous without addition of our foreign friends who buoy up our economy.  Our sustainable development relies upon aggressive worker training of residents, addition of immigrants, and open trade for our commodities.  Our road to sustainability is through diversity, inclusion, and the innovative spirit of those pursuing opportunity.  Our region is not served by the brain draining immigration ban.