IL Elected Officials Joined Biz Leaders to Urge Biden to Expand Immigrant Workforce Authorization

IL Gov. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Sen. Durbin and Reps. Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Delia Ramirez, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, and Robin Kelly Joined Business/Community Leaders in Urging President Biden to Expand Immigrant Work Authorization to Fix Labor Shortage

“Here in Illinois and throughout the nation, critical industries are facing labor shortages that impact our consumers, businesses, and economy.” 
– Gov. JB Pritzker

Watch Video: HERE

CHICAGO, IL – Gov. JB Pritzker, Sen. Richard Durbin, and members of the IL congressional delegation joined business and immigrant community leaders to urge President Biden to use his existing legal authority to expand work authorizations for long-term undocumented immigrant contributors and new immigrants to address the labor shortage crisis.

The proposed expansion of work permits for immigrants who do not have authorization would not require an Act of Congress. It is allowed under current law if doing so would provide a “significant public benefit,” and ending the labor shortage would benefit the nation by increasing productivity and stemming inflation.

Bipartisan Governors, Democratic members of Congress, state attorneys general, business leaders and employers, and immigration groups have signed letters or publicly stated their ask of President Biden to use existing law to expand workforce authorization for immigrants.

“This “Here to Work” permission can cover long term workers in specific industries or states; it can cover Dreamers too young for DACA; it can cover the undocumented married to U.S. citizens,” said Rebecca Shi, Executive Director, ABIC Action. “It is time for Biden to take action. Providing work authorization to long term migrant contributors is economically important, morally right and politically smart.”

Governor JB Pritzker spoke to the value of having immigrants as part of our communities, saying: “Here in Illinois and throughout the nation, critical industries are facing labor shortages that impact our consumers, businesses, and economy. That’s why we’re calling on the federal government to expand pathways to work authorization for asylum seekers and other non-citizens. We must take action to tap into the incredible value that immigrants bring to our workforce and help our new neighbors build better lives for themselves and their families.”

“Chicago has been on the frontlines welcoming new neighbors since its founding by Haitian immigrant, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “So, it’s only right that we continue the legacy of providing sanctuary and a pathway for resettlement as our city has done for previous generations of immigrants, migrants and refugees. Today we stand together representing intergovernmental solidarity and collaboration with community advocates, labor partners and business leaders to ensure all non-citizens are afforded legal authorization to contribute to the economic vitality of our great city. We are committed to protecting them as workers, and ultimately, creating for our new arrivals and long-term undocumented community members a pathway to self-sufficiency.”

“I’m grateful to stand with fellow Members of Congress, business leaders, and immigrant community leaders to push for immigration reform today,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “Like Illinois, many states are facing the challenges presented by a labor shortage crisis. In fact, Republican and Democratic governors alike – including Governor Pritzker – are pushing for the Biden Administration to create a state-sponsored parole program. States should have a say in how immigration can make our economies stronger, not just bureaucrats in Washington. I’ll keep doing my part and pressing for immigration reform in Congress and the executive branch, and I won’t stop until it gets done.”

“Migrants make the perilous journey to our country seeking safety. They deserve the stability that comes with a work permit and the opportunity to provide for their family, said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “Expanding work permits is a common sense solution that will improve the lives of migrants – no matter if they arrived days ago or decades ago. It will also help our country address its historic labor shortage. President Biden often talks about the soul of our nation, and it’s time to remind him we are a nation of immigrants.”

“We are a nation built by immigrants. As a first-generation American myself, I know comprehensive immigration reform is the best course of action,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “However, while we continue pursuing that goal, more must be done to expand work authorizations and provide stability to undocumented individuals and recently arrived asylum seekers. Not only would this address the ongoing labor shortage that employers are facing, but it would also create a pathway to financial independence for so many. That is why I am joining my colleagues in calling for swift action to help keep families and communities together all while supporting our local economies.”

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS:

“Manufacturing is the largest sector of our state’s economy, but in order to make the food, medicine and other important products we rely on, we must take concrete steps to address the ongoing workforce shortage facing our industry,” added Mark Denzler, President & CEO, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “By expanding work authorizations for immigrants, we can help ensure the long term success of American manufacturing while providing new arrivals to our country the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and contribute to our society.”

“Restaurants in Illinois are suffering from severe labor shortages, and the solution is already here,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association. “Millions of migrants and undocumented immigrants are here and ready to work, but we need the federal government to make it possible by expanding the work authorization program for new and long-time immigrants.”

​​”President Biden must act to expand workforce authorization to the long-term undocumented, as well as to new arrivals,” said Raul Raymundo, CEO of The Resurrection Project. “Many individuals in Chicago’s Mexican community as well as from many other communities have toiled for years, even decades, building equity in this country and sustaining our economy. They include Dreamers without DACA, workers across every industry, and spouses of U.S. citizens.”

“I’m undocumented and have been in this country since I was a year old. I am a mother of 6 and the head of my household. I’ve had a lot of missed opportunities due to not having a work permit,” said Estela, Dreamer and member of The Resurrection Project. “The director of my kid’s daycare offered me a job as a teacher’s aide. I told him that I could not accept the job because I did not have legal status. I was depressed for weeks. That’s why I’m here today as part of this coalition asking President Biden to allow Illinois and other states to issue work permits to undocumented folks like me so we can work legally, safely and fairly—at jobs that are badly needed. I want to have a good job with benefits. I want to buy a house. My kids deserve to have a stable life. So please allow me the chance to work legally so I can contribute to the well-being of my city and my state.”

“1.4 million Americans in mixed-status marriages have never had a place in these conversations before. We have waited far too long and watched Congress fail to act all while American families fear separation or live that exact reality,” said Megan, Member of American Families United. “Helping new arrivals and refugees reflects the very best of this country but we can no longer ignore the suffering of American citizens who desperately need the same bold action. By expanding workforce authorization, President Biden can keep American families together and fill critically needed labor positions.”

Other organizations participating in the press conference are Third Coast Hospitality, Industrial Business Unit – CLAYCO and Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.

BACKGROUND
Illinois needs immigrants.
As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce noted in an August report, “If every unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have more than 4 million open jobs.”

Snapshot on Illinois immigrants