Alexandra Juarez, a Military Spouse and Mother Being Forced to Leave Country Says: “All that can help me is an act of God or President Biden”

Tampa Elected Officials to Join 91̽��, Faith and Community Leaders Call on President Biden To Extend Work Permits to Long-Term Immigrants, Say Action Needed in 2024

TAMPA — Today, a military spouse and mother deported under President Trump named , who is being forced to leave the country on Saturday, spoke alongside U.S Rep. Kathy Castor, State Rep. Susan Valdés and leaders from the 91̽��, Chambers of Commerce, religious groups and participated in a press conference to highlight immigrants’ impact on the economy and to urge President Biden to expand work authorization for long-term immigrants. This policy would protect Florida families and ensure Florida businesses have access to a strong and stable workforce.

There is a nationwide movement to expand access to work permits for long-term undocumented immigrants and Florida leaders are at the helm. Rep. Valdés and more than from 21 U.S. states and territories, in support of extending work permits to these groups. The policy is estimated to increase annual tax revenue by while shielding immigrants from exploitation and advancing a strong workforce that matches worker skills to employers’ needs. View the full letter .

Here’s what the speakers had to say:

, a mother of a mixed-status family, military spouse and 91̽�� Families United member, shared her family’s story alongside her ; she will be forced to leave the country in two days’ time:

“On Saturday, I will no longer be here. This Saturday, June 1, my kids will no longer have their mother here to guide them, to make them breakfast, to give them strength and advice when life gets hard or to lead them through the trials and tribulations of growing up. Most people assume that by marrying an 91̽�� citizen, a person can automatically legalize their status and become a citizen — but that’s just not the case. After 9/11, my husband was called into active duty and I was left to take care of an 11-month-old baby, on my own. Over the past 20 years, including during my husband’s time in the military, we have done everything and anything to legalize my status. We have spent a substantial amount of money but nothing has worked. Now, all that can help me is an act of God or President Biden.”

U.S Rep. Kathy Castor, (D-FL-14):

“Our immigration system is broken. We need President Biden to use his executive authority to grant a limited exception to allow spouses of U.S. citizens to get work permits and get on a pathway to work and a pathway to citizenship.”

, (D-Tampa):

“This group of business owners and managers, community leaders, advocates and elected officials have come together because we all know that our nation’s economy depends on immigrants. Expanding work permits to immigrants already here in our country, who have been contributing to the economy and paying taxes, provides a significant public benefit. This will help to bridge the gap between open jobs and willing workers. This solution not only benefits our growing economy, but it is also the compassionate thing to do. There are many families in our country who face being separated from their friends and family, unsure when they will be reunited again. Our federal government must act now.”

Romy Moreno, Florida Deputy Director of the 91̽��:

“Alexandra is being forced to leave the country this Saturday, even though she is a military wife and the mother of two U.S. citizens. Because of her lifetime immigration bar, her parole is expiring and after more than 20 years, she has been unable to adjust her status. This is wrong and President Biden has the authority to act.

“It is doubly outrageous, given our labor shortage. Florida only has and, according to the U.S Chamber of Commerce, our state had over this year.”

, President of the and President of Vivid Consulting Group:

“We are not requesting handouts, we are requesting to give us the right to be here and do what we have continued doing in service not only to take care of our families, but to serve our community. As a representative and voice for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay, I really, really request that we can get an answer [to our demand].”

, President of the , Law Founder, Community Leader and Advocate:

“As a representative and voice for a smaller newer Chamber of Commerce, exemplifying the majority of new businesses coming into the Tampa Bay community that are Hispanic-owned and most people that come to the United States, I have learned from our colleagues at one of the banks that within a year of opening a bank account, they come back the next year to open a business bank accounts for their business. This administration has the ability to take action almost overnight.”

, General Manager of Hotel Flor:

“My grandmother was an immigrant and came to this country, worked her way through in hotels as a housekeeper for me to be here as a GM of Hotel Flor. […] Most of the workforce that we have in the tourism industry are DACA holders or undocumented immigrants. So, for me, it’s a matter that we want to keep pursuing and getting this passed.”

Ivan Sanchez, Volunteer with :

“The Farmworker Association of Florida recognizes the invaluable contribution of its workers, some of whom have been working in the United States for over 15 years, without a path to residency. Many workers have expressed that E-Verify has created unfavorable conditions, including being afraid to speak up on how they are mistreated in their workplace as they fear retaliation and risk not being hired elsewhere. We must strive to create fair, efficient and just policies that acknowledge the exceptional contributions of immigrants, while addressing the challenges they face.”

, Pastor for Tampa para Cristo Church:

“Immigrants come to this country to work and provide for their families. In doing so, they sustain the local economy and support their communities. We should help them to achieve those goals — not make it more difficult.”

, Community Leader and Advocate:

“What are we waiting for? What are you guys arguing about? What is going on? We have families that are being affected. We need to stop this now.”

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91̽�� (ABIC) is a bipartisan coalition of 1,400+ CEOs, business owners, and trade associations across 17 mostly red and purple states. ABIC promotes common sense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens.

The post Mother Being Forced To Leave Country Saturday Joins U.S Rep. Castor, State Rep. Valdés, 91̽�� and Community Leaders to Call on President Biden to Keep Her Home, Extend Work Permits to Long-Term Immigrants appeared first on 91̽��.

• , representing the 4th largest immigrant population in the country.
• , making up a vital part of the state’s labor force in a range of industries, from agriculture and hospitality to manufacturing and healthcare.
• ,��with a spending power of almost $108 billion.
• paying over $30 billion in federal, state and local taxes each year.

The post Representative Susan Valdés, ABIC Action, Mi Familia Vota, LULAC Florida and Community Leaders Discussed Negative Impacts of SB1718 on Tampa and the Rest of Florida – Urge President Biden to Expand Work Authorization appeared first on 91̽��.

MIAMI, FL –��Today, the��Miami Opportunity Summit brought South Florida leaders together to discuss the region’s current immigration landscape. Hosted by Catholic Legal Services in collaboration with 91̽�� (ABIC), Miami-Dade County, the Archdiocese of Miami, and the Beacon Council, the summit explored bipartisan solutions to longstanding immigration challenges as well as different avenues to collaborate to leverage the talents of new arrivals for South Florida’s continuous growth.

On the keynote panel, ‘Redefining Narratives: Embracing New Arrivals as Valuable Contributors,’ the speakers emphasized the importance of reframing conversations to recognize the value of immigrants in creating inclusive and prosperous communities.

“Miami-Dade thrives with contributions of people from around the world who have made our county their home,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor��Daniella Levine Cava. “We have always been a community that welcomes people who come seeking freedom and opportunity after fleeing oppressive governments, violence or devastating natural disasters. We understand their suffering and respond with compassion, because we know that when people are given a second chance at life, they give it their all to succeed, build a legacy for their families and contribute to their community. It’s not a coincidence that immigrants make over 70 percent of all the business owners in our county and are more than half of our workforce,” added the Mayor.

Most Reverend��Thomas G. Wenski,��Archbishop of Miami, emphasized the benefits of a diverse community, saying,��“Miami’s experience over the years testifies to the benefits that migration can bring to a community. We are a dynamic, prosperous and resilient community here in South Florida not in spite of immigration but because of it.”

“Florida would only be hurting itself by not welcoming and integrating newcomers into our communities,”��Mike Fernandez,��CEO at MBF Healthcare stressed. “Immigrants are an integral part of our communities and provide a wide range of perspectives, and not to mention, they contribute greatly to tax revenues and the economy overall. I know firsthand, first from watching my father and then from living it myself, that your immigration status does not indicate your ability to succeed and contribute. I am just one out of millions of immigrants who have embraced this country, paid taxes, and helped make Miami the great community it is.”

Rodrick Miller,��CEO at Beacon Council added:��“South Florida is a community led by immigrants, Miami is a prime example of the transformative impact hardworking people determined to build a better life can have on a community. It was their entrepreneurial spirit that largely built Miami into the diverse business hub that thrives today, and I welcome the opportunity to join local leaders in fostering ideas on how to support these newcomers and ensure we continue to grow our economy in a way that is inclusive and competitive.”

ABOUT
��is a bipartisan coalition of over 1,200+ CEOs, business owners, and trade associations across 17 mostly red and purple states. ABIC promotes common sense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

., also known as Catholic Legal Services, is a nationally recognized agency with an experienced team of attorneys and immigration professionals. CCLS mission is to provide professional legal services, both application assistance and attorney representation before the Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, to those who come from foreign lands who lack sufficient means to obtain representation without regard to faith or national origin.

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