More than 400 leading businesses, chambers of commerce and others are calling on the House to act on immigration legislation. They describe the current system as “completely incapable” of responding to global competition.

Signers of the letter released Tuesday include a wide variety of business interests, from AT&T and IBM to the American Meat Institute, the Indiana Farm Bureau and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The letter, sent to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, does not set out specific policies the groups are seeking but calls generally for immigration reform.

“Reform of an outdated, broken immigration system is essential if we are to achieve a fully revitalized economy that provides rewarding and lasting jobs and opportunities for all Americans,” read part of the letter.

It comes as immigration legislation waits in limbo in the GOP-led House following Senate passage in June of a comprehensive bill. Congress is getting ready to leave Washington for its annual summer recess and no House action is expected until the fall.

Entities based in North or South Carolina or with a major presence in the Carolinas signing the letter include: AT&T (NYSE:T), Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO), EMC (NSE:EMC), IBM (NYSE:IBM), Durham venture capital form Intersouth Partners, Myrtle Beach Area (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Technology Association, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Farm Bureau, and Raleigh tech company StepLeader.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)