New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg seeks a debate on immigration among the presidential candidates.

Why not? Whoever wins the election will have to deal with the immigration issue fairly soon. The United States badly needs an overhaul of the immigration system.

Mayor Bloomberg talked to business leaders in Chicago, sharing his views on immigration and the economy.

Mr. Bloomberg ties immigration to America’s economic recovery. America needs immigrants to create jobs and businesses, he argues.

Open the borders to immigrants who would start new businesses, Mr. Bloomberg advises. He told the business group that he knows of no other way to boost the economy “as quickly and cost free” as doing just that.

Mr. Bloomberg and former White House Chief of Staff William Daley expressed their regrets that the presidential campaigns had yet to make any proposals on immigration policy.

The two presented a report released by U.S. mayors and business leaders that showed immigrants started one out of four new American businesses last year. The candidates should share their plans for immigration reform. What do they think about Mr. Bloomberg’s premise?

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