A study just released from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine says immigrants into the U.S. have helped the economy over the long haul. Minnesota Milk Producers Association Executive Director Bob Lefebvre is hoping that will spur Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. He says a good reliable immigrant workforce is critical to the economic success of the dairy industry.

The study also pointed out that 53 percent of immigrants have at least some college education. Lefebvre says that proves that most immigrant laborers are intelligent people.

Lefebvre is hopeful that they’ll be able to convince federal lawmakers to move sometime next year on immigration reform. He says his industry will keep working to see that that gets done.

The report also pointed out that immigration can lead to more innovation, entrepreneurship and technological change across the economy.