Democratic congressmen ask Biden for work permits for “all” undocumented immigrants

A group of Democratic congressmen backed by immigrant advocates and business leaders requested the Government of President Joe Biden to expand access to work permits to “all” undocumented immigrants, especially those who have lived and contributed to the economy for a long time.

Led by House Representatives Jesús “Chuy” García, Adriano Espaillat and Lou Correa, the group urged the White House to use executive power to grant work permits to undocumented immigrants who have not benefited from any of the new programs. established by the Biden Administration.

This proposal comes a week after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported this Thursday that it has temporarily extended the validity of work permits for some 800,000 migrants as part of the agency’s efforts to end the jam of cases.

The extension from 180 days to 540 days applies to migrants who submitted their application to renew their work permits as of October 27, 2023.

Now under this new context, USCIS said that without this measure, Almost 800,000 migrants, including asylum seekers, beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and permanent residence applicants, are at risk of losing their jobs.

The extension of the validity of work permits also benefits approximately 80 thousand employers who would have to do without migrant workers.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported this Thursday that it has temporarily extended the validity of work permits for some 800,000 migrants as part of the agency’s efforts to end the backlog of cases.

The extension of the validity of work permits also benefits approximately 80 thousand employers that they would have to do without migrant workers.

In a letter addressed to the US president, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and the director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ur Jaddou, the legislators assured that work permits would “further protect” immigrants from labor exploitation .

They added that Granting work permits to immigrants who have lived in the country for a long time could increase annual tax revenue by approximately $13.8 billion.

They propose establishing three new programs that would grant work permits for undocumented spouses of US citizens, for immigrants who arrived as children but were not eligible for the Deferred Action (DACA) program and for workers who have paid taxes for years.

Congressmen applauded White House efforts to grant work permits to newly arrived asylum seekersbut they noted that “it is time to extend this dignity (permits) to the longest-term immigrant communities in the United States, who have waited for help for decades.”

It is estimated that in the US there are close to 10 million immigrants who have been waiting for years for immigration reform, which was part of Biden’s campaign promises to reach the White House but which has failed to be echoed in Congress. .

The petition was endorsed by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán and 10 other members of Congress, as well as 87 elected officials and 11 immigrant advocacy organizations.

*With information from EFE.

Keep reading:

– The three airports in the United States with the most denials of entry to foreigners due to “inadmissibility”
– SB4 defender admits that perhaps Texas went too far against immigrants
– The majority in the United States recognizes that the increase in immigrants is because they are looking for better economic opportunities, reports Pew