Legislation aims to reform U.S. immigration system and provide work permits for law-abiding, taxpaying undocumented immigrants
CHICAGO, IL – Today, the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) Action, restaurant owners, farmers, construction companies and hospitality professionals urged the passage of the bipartisan DIGNITY Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas).
The call follows a letter signed by nearly 200 businesses sent to President Trump on Tuesday, urging the President to take up immigration reform and prioritize commonsense immigration solutions to secure America’s workforce.
“With border crossings down nearly 100 percent from last year, President Trump has delivered on border security — now it’s time to secure America’s workforce. The Dignity Act mirrors what President Trump has said multiple times about work permits for long-term, law-abiding immigrants. This bill offers a real solution backing the President’s vision, and the American people — 76 percent in recent polls — are on board. Let’s get it done,” said Rebecca Shi, CEO of ABIC Action.
“I’m encouraged by Rep. Salazar’s reintroduction of the Dignity Act. It’s a meaningful bipartisan step towards addressing this crisis. We need real solutions and work permits that honor both our country’s economic needs and its values, solutions that protect our food system, stabilize our agricultural communities and offer dignity to the people who are already contributing so much,” said Janille Baker, Controller of Baker Ranches, Inc.
“Immigration policy affects every corner of our operation, and no one feels it more deeply than our residents and their families. These individuals are more than employees. They are the ones who show up to ride out every hurricane. They risk their lives working during COVID, when so many others stayed home, they show up every single holiday, often sacrificing time with their own families to care for someone else’s loved one. This bill would be a lifeline for so many workers in our industry,” said Rachel Blumberg, President and CEO of Sinai Residences.
“We really need a workforce, especially in the construction industry. Immigrants are willing to take a risk for an opportunity to show the country that they want to be here,” said Victor Galvan, CEO of VMG NeXt Construction.
“The restaurant is the one that hurts the most from immigration issues, because the workforce to train these people, it’s very hard. As a business owner, you just want to throw the towel, but because of immigrants, we don’t. They have heart, they don’t give up on being part of that community, and they don’t give up,” said Michelle Santillanes, owner of El Tamarindo Restaurant in Denver, Colorado.
Watch the press conference here.