Border Security & Foreign Workers: New Push
- Bob Worsley, a staunch conservative and former Arizona state senator, is emerging as a voice for immigration reform, challenging prevailing sentiments within the Republican Party.
- Worsley believes that many who demonize immigrants lack understanding of their lives and contributions.
- As chairman of the american Business Immigration Coalition, representing over 1,700 business leaders, Worsley is pushing for compromise on immigration, seeking to moderate what he sees as a...
Bob Worsley, a conservative Republican, is championing immigration reform, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both border security and the critical need for a reliable workforce. This marks a meaningful shift, as Worsley challenges prevailing anti-immigrant sentiments within his party, recognizing the contributions of foreign workers across various industries. He stresses the importance of legal pathways for immigrants to enter the U.S., calling for “bigger portals” at the border. As the chairman of the American Business Immigration Coalition, he is pushing for compromise on immigration. news Directory 3 offers complete updates on this evolving issue, including Worsley’s views on the role of immigrant labor. Discover what’s next as the debate continues.
Arizona Republican Advocates for Immigration Reform, Workforce Solutions
Updated June 07, 2025
Bob Worsley, a staunch conservative and former Arizona state senator, is emerging as a voice for immigration reform, challenging prevailing sentiments within the Republican Party. Worsley, known for his anti-abortion stance and fiscal conservatism, is now advocating for a more balanced approach to immigration policy, emphasizing the critical need for a reliable workforce.
Worsley believes that many who demonize immigrants lack understanding of their lives and contributions. He argues that these individuals are often “good people…family people…religious people…great Americans.” He tempers this with a pragmatic argument, noting the necessity of immigrant labor for industries ranging from hospitality to agriculture. He specifically mentioned that the Trump Institution, horse-breeding, horse-racing, pig and chicken farming all rely on immigrant labor.
As chairman of the american Business Immigration Coalition, representing over 1,700 business leaders, Worsley is pushing for compromise on immigration, seeking to moderate what he sees as a punitive approach. He stresses that businesses need a workforce and that simply building a wall will not solve the underlying issues.He acknowledges the importance of border security but insists on addressing the need for legal pathways for workers to enter the contry.
Worsley suggests creating “bigger portals, bigger legal openings” at the border, comparing it to a spillway releasing pressure. He entered politics to combat the scapegoating of immigrants, a trend he saw prefiguring the rise of Donald Trump. Worsley’s past includes founding SkyMall and defeating anti-immigrant politician Russell Pearce in a primary election.
Worsley at a 2017 legislative meeting in Phoenix, entered politics to fight anti-immigrant policies.
(Bob Christie / Associated Press)
his outlook is also shaped by his missionary work in South America, where he developed empathy for those seeking better lives.He believes that understanding comes from experiencing their lives firsthand.
Worsley left the Arizona Senate in 2019, frustrated by the rise of Trump. He wrote a book about immigration and joined the American Business Immigration Coalition,recruited by Mitt Romney. While still a Republican, he hopes that with tighter border control, the focus will shift to fixing the immigration system.
“We have people that are aristocratically living in another world,” Worsley said. “Maybe they work for you,but you haven’t really lived with them and understand they’re not criminals. They are good people.They’re family people. They’re religious people. They are great Americans…. So I think that’s a problem if you don’t live with them and you’re making policy.”
“We are employers … and we don’t have a workforce. We need this workforce,” Worsley said. “And building a wall and stopping all immigration is not going to work, as the water will rise until it comes over.”
“What we need is bigger portals, bigger legal openings to come through the border,” Worsley said. “We need a secure workforce as much as we need a secure border.”
He points to the 1986 legislation signed by ronald Reagan as the last significant attempt at immigration reform, which ultimately failed to deliver on its promises. Worsley hopes that securing the border will pave the way for a pragmatic solution to prevent future crises.
What’s next
Worsley hopes that the current administration will address the need for comprehensive immigration reform to secure the border and ensure a stable workforce for American businesses.