Outstanding op-ed in Crain's Chicago Business by Stephen M. Chipman, CEO of Grant Thornton LLP, on the economic benefits of immigration reform. Chipman writes from the perspective of a native of England who emigrated to the United States on an H-1B visa, became a U.S. citizen and then spent spent two years in China as leading Grant Thornton's operations there.

Chipman writes: "Today, as the proud father of two first-generation Chinese immigrant girls, my international perspective and experience helps me recognize that a vibrant pipeline of talent will fuel economic growth as the U.S. workforce ages."

More from "9 million reasons why immigration reform makes sense":

The benefits of reform would also pay off in communities where immigrants settle, including Chicago — home to more than 580,000 immigrants from 140 countries, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Partnership for a New American Economy estimates that immigrants are nearly 50 percent more likely to start a business than native-born workers.

They are also responsible for more than 25 percent of new businesses in seven of the eight fastest-growing sectors of the economy, three of which the Chicago region ranks in the top five in output among U.S. metro areas: professional and business services, health care and social assistance, and transportation and utilities. These new businesses mean new customers for the companies that supply them, more taxes for local services and more jobs for Americans.

Meaningful immigration reform has three vital components. First, it improves security by adding resources to protect our borders and requiring all businesses to use the E-Verify employment verification system. Second, it increases the number of visas for much needed higher-skilled workers and establishes a new system for lower-skilled workers. Finally, it integrates undocumented immigrants into society by allowing those already residing here to come forward, pay a penalty and earn legal status.

Done right, immigration reform would be a win for our economy and for Americans — and legislation that contains these principles is alive on Capitol Hill. But the ball is in Congress' court.

Chipman's column draws attention to BRT's recent report that documents the benefits of immigration reform, "Contributing to American Growth: The Economic Case for Immigration Reform."

Earlier, The Herald (suburban Chicago) "Motorola's Brown: Keep immigration reform alive to keep businesses competitive," reporting on remarks by Greg Brown, CEO of Motorola Solutions who chairs BRT's Immigration Committee.