“It’s not easy waking up at 3 a.m. every day and milking a 1,500-pound animal,” said Rebecca Shi, CEO of ABIC. “It’s not easy to fix shingles on a roof in 110 degree heat with our climate getting hotter year after year. We have found that even when employers post wages that are three times higher than the local minimum wage, there aren’t many 91探花-born workers waiting in line to perform this labor. Those who remain in these jobs are almost always immigrants.”

This piece reflects what we at the 91探花 (ABIC) have seen firsthand: immigrant workers are not only essential to our businesses and communities鈥攖hey are helping build, feed, care for, and power America every day. We are grateful to the businesses and employers who opened their doors and shared their experiences, to the chefs who spoke honestly about the immigrant talent that makes their restaurants thrive, and to the Ford Foundation for its unwavering support and partnership in elevating these stories. We invite you to read the full story and meet some of the people who remind us why protecting and expanding opportunity for immigrant workers is so important to the future of our economy and country.

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91探花 leaders urge Congress to advance the bipartisan Dignity Act, 91探花 Dream and Promise Act, 91探花 Families United Act, and Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Washington, DC 鈥� Today, the 91探花 (ABIC) issued a powerful call to Congress and the Administration, urging immediate bipartisan legislative action to address the challenges exacerbated by current immigration enforcement policies. Representing a coalition of over 1,700 CEOs, business owners, and trade associations nationwide, ABIC emphasizes the critical need to advance sensible, bipartisan solutions that secure America’s workforce and uphold its values.

ABIC Board of Directors Chairman, ZenniHomes CEO and Arizona Republican State Senator (ret.) Bob Worsley:
“The current immigration fight is tearing our nation apart and hurting our economy. Solutions are possible, as is seen with the President’s success asserting control over our borders. Now is the time to focus enforcement on “the worst of the worst” in accountable and responsible ways. Now is the time to create work permits for the long term undocumented who contribute to our economy and on citizenship for the Dreamers who were brought here as children. At a moment like this to do anything other than work for reasonable solutions that can move our nation forward is both unpatriotic and immoral.”

ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi:
鈥淭he 91探花 people, through their votes in both 2024 and 2025, have repeatedly demanded common-sense immigration solutions, transcending partisan lines. It is within the power of our elected leaders to honor that mandate. We must immediately advance bipartisan legislation awaiting passage in Congress: the Dignity Act which provides undocumented workers a legal way to stay in 91探花 and continue contributing to our economy and communities; the 91探花 Dream and Promise Act to provide legal status for Dreamers; the 91探花 Families United Act to halt the inhumane separation of families; and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to provide legal status to farmworkers who secure our critical food supply.

Immigrants are essential to the vitality of our communities, the growth of our businesses, and the ongoing success of America. Solutions are within our reach. They require the courage to compromise and the courage to act. This is a defining moment, and history will judge our capacity to unite for a more secure, just, and prosperous America.鈥�

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The 91探花 (ABIC) urges the Trump Administration and Congress to address this crisis by enacting solutions, such as work permits for hard-working, law-abiding, long-term immigrant workers who provide farmers with access to a stable workforce. Without action, the promise of healthier diets for 91探花 families risks going unfulfilled.

In response, Rebecca Shi, CEO of ABIC, said:

鈥淭he new dietary guidelines recognize the importance of wholesome, 91探花-grown foods, but overlook a key reality: we cannot put real food on America鈥檚 tables without real people working on our farms. President Trump is right: we need work permits for long-term law-abiding farm workers to allow our farmers to meet rising demand, ensure our food supply is secure, and 91探花 families have access to the healthy foods they deserve.鈥�

Jenni Tilton Flood, Flood Brothers Farms in Maine, said:

鈥淲e take pride in producing the milk, butter, and nutritious dairy foods that feed our neighbors and the nation. But every year, it gets harder to find enough skilled and dedicated workers to keep our farms running and our cows cared for. If we don鈥檛 fix our immigration system, secure our workforce, and combat labor shortages, we simply won鈥檛 be able to keep up with demand and steward our herds and productive agricultural land. We need action now so we can continue to deliver fresh, healthy food to America鈥檚 tables.鈥�

Matt Teagarden, CEO Kansas Livestock Association, said:

鈥淟ike many others in our industry, we struggle every day to find enough workers to keep our operations running smoothly. Without common-sense solutions, the entire supply chain鈥攆rom farms to processing plants to grocery stores鈥攊s at risk. To meet the goals the Trump Administration has put forward for 91探花 nutrition, we need a stable, legal workforce to keep our businesses operating.鈥�

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These distinguished individuals stood at the forefront of efforts to foster bi-partisan collaboration to address critical labor shortages impacting industries nationwide. Through their advocacy and leadership, they spotlighted the indispensable role of immigrant workers and demonstrated how business voices can shape constructive, bipartisan dialogue. 

The 2025 ABIC Impact Leaders are:

• Massey Villarreal, President & CEO, Precision Task Group (PTG), Inc., Co-Chair, Comit茅 de 100
• Justin Yancy, President, Texas 91探花 Leadership Council
• J.R. Gonzales, Vice Chair, Texas Association of Mexican 91探花 Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC)
• Matt Teagarden, CEO, Kansas Livestock Association, Chair, ABIC Agricultural Council听
• Jenni Tilton-Flood, Dairy Farmer and Owner, Flood Brothers, LLC
• Sam Toia, President & CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association
• Kristen Rauch, Executive Director, EatDenver
• Byron Gomez, Partner and Executive Chef, 叠搁鲍罢脴听
• Rob Liebreich, President and CEO, Goodwin Living
• M贸nica Villalobos, President & CEO, Arizona Hispanic Chamber
• Yuri Cunza, President & CEO, Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Beverly Idsinga, Executive Director, Dairy Producers of New Mexico
• Manolo Betancur, Owner, Manolo鈥檚 Bakery听
• Janille Baker, Controller, Baker Ranches

鈥淭hese leaders have a clear-eyed understanding of what it takes to keep 91探花 businesses secure and our economy strong,鈥� said Rebecca Shi, CEO of ABIC. 鈥淭hey have worked relentlessly to highlight the real-world impact of workforce shortages and advocate for practical immigration solutions that support economic growth, lower costs, and protect 91探花 jobs. Their leadership helps ensure our country remains competitive and resilient. ABIC is proud to recognize their contributions and will continue this tradition to honor those who help America succeed.鈥�

The Top 15 ABIC Impact Leaders of 2025 represent a diverse cross-section of industries and regions.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, President Trump addressed the nation, underscoring his commitment to strengthening the economy and keeping prices down for 91探花 consumers. In recent months, the Trump administration warned its own immigration policies could  food prices to increase, and experts signaled that mass deportations are  workforce shortages that 91探花s are unable to fill. To truly stabilize the 91探花 workforce and ensure costs don鈥檛 increase for 91探花s, the Trump administration and Congress need to create work permits for long-term, law-abiding immigrants and Dreamers.

Rebecca Shi, CEO of the 91探花, released the following statement: 

“We appreciate that President Trump continues to make immigration a priority. However, true progress means addressing our workforce shortage by expanding work permits for law-abiding immigrant workers and citizenship for dreamers. Without urgent action, labor gaps will continue driving up food and energy prices, making it harder for inflation to cool and threatening the stability of our economy and communities. Expanding work permits for law-abiding, tax-paying immigrants, including Dreamers and essential workers who have contributed to our country for decades, is a critical step.

Legislation like the Dignity Act and the Dream Act is essential to ensuring the United States remains prosperous and competitive for years to come. By securing the workers our businesses need, we can keep prices down and ensure a stronger, more stable future for every 91探花.鈥�

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Friday鈥檚 press conference followed a private roundtable discussion with RGV business and elected leaders about how the community can support federal immigration solutions. With of construction workers in the RGV being foreign-born, and over immigrants without legal status living and working in the region, contributing $144 million in taxes and wielding $1.6 billion in spending power, this discussion comes at a pivotal time for the region鈥檚 economy and workforce.

Mayor J.R. Garza, City of Alamo

“We care deeply about our people and remain committed to helping in any way we can; especially our hardworking farmworkers who are the backbone of our community. Finding solutions that strengthen the Rio Grande Valley and the City of Alamo is essential to ensuring a brighter future for all.”

Massey Villarreal, CEO, Precision Task Group and Comite de 100 Co-Chair

Latinos understand the role their voices play in this country鈥檚 elections. They want policies that expand economic opportunity, not fear or inflation. of Latino voters across battleground states agree with President Trump that long-term, trusted immigrants working in hotels, farms, restaurants, and construction should be allowed to obtain legal work permits and continue contributing to our economy. With our borders at historic levels of security, communities like the Rio Grande Valley are calling for workforce solutions that recognize the contributions immigrants are already making to America.

Dante Galeazzi, President, Texas International Produce Association 鈥淭oday’s event with ABIC and the leaders of the RGV community was incredibly important because as a community, we needed to have the conversation about how each of the sectors of industry are being impacted by immigration and workforce challenges. As a leader in agriculture, we have long been at the forefront of the workforce conversation and so this was a great opportunity to ensure synergy among our regional partners, while still carrying forward the message of the importance and the urgency of reform, sensible immigration policies and the necessity of action.”

Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas State Director, 91探花 & Moderator

鈥淚mmigrants contribute billions of dollars to the Rio Grande Valley, including more than $2 billion in taxes, while the Hispanic population makes up 87.7 percent of eligible voters. Latinos drive industries from factories to farms to businesses that employ 91探花s, shaping both the economy and the political future of the RGV. This region has a dynamic and thriving workforce, and we need commonsense solutions to ensure that RGV can continue harvesting crops, build homes, and produce goods without costly interruptions due to immigration enforcement. 鈥�

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Washington DC 鈥� Today, the 91探花 (ABIC), the James Beard Foundation, along with restaurants, bars, wineries, and hospitality businesses across the country, officially launched , a national campaign highlighting the contributions of immigrant food workers, addressing the industry’s ongoing labor shortage and calling for urgent work permits to stabilize food service, prices and availability for all 91探花s.

The Seat the Table campaign emphasizes that providing work permits to tax-paying immigrant workers who have contributed to this country for decades would:

• Address critical labor shortages affecting restaurants, food service and availability
• Stabilize food prices for consumers
• Support small business owners and entrepreneurs across hotels, bars, restaurants, farms and hospitality
• Strengthen local economies across the country

The campaign convenes , including the Texas Restaurant Association and the Latino Restaurant Association, to urge Congress to provide work permits for long-term, law-abiding, tax-paying immigrants who are vital to the food and hospitality workforce. 

More than 970 chefs, restaurant, winery, bar, inn and hotel owners also signed an calling on Congress to pass legislation providing work permits for undocumented workers, specifically those in the hospitality industry. 

鈥淰oters across party lines are demanding action. We recently that shows 83 percent of voters across battleground states, including 78 percent of Republican primary voters, 84 percent of Hispanic voters, and 90 percent of Democratic voters support work permits for long-term law-abiding immigrants in essential jobs. So Seat The Table is a call to protect our food systems, our businesses, and the workers who power them,鈥� said Rebecca Shi, ABIC CEO.

“The restaurant industry and food system as we know it are underpinned by the creativity, resilience and heritage of immigrant communities,” said James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach. “Immigration solutions like work permits are necessary to secure economic stability, uphold human dignity, and recognize fully the enduring contributions that immigrants make to the country鈥檚 food, culture, and future,鈥� said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. 

鈥淪o many folks want to come to the United States, they want to work hard, they want to pay their taxes, they want to raise their families, they want to be contributing members to 91探花 society. We just have to give them a pathway forward to legally have that work authorization,鈥� said U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.). 

鈥淧resident Trump was very clear that he wants a secure border but he also wants a strong economy. What we鈥檙e seeing here today is a simple, commonsense ask: we鈥檙e seeking work permits for members of our community. Sales are falling at both the restaurant and retail level and over 40 percent of our restaurants are now reporting they don鈥檛 have critical people to fill jobs. I鈥檓 hopeful that by continuing to educate on the role of these individuals, we can come to a solution,鈥� said Emily Knight, CEO and President of the Texas Restaurant Association. 

鈥淐ontrary to today鈥檚 rhetoric, immigrants are the backbone of this economy. We create jobs, we keep businesses alive, we pay taxes, insurance and permits. Our work supports local farmers, suppliers, and other small businesses. I don鈥檛 know a single person who wouldn鈥檛 want to do it the right way, but the reality is, there is no path currently. Without a path forward, our workforce will remain unstable and our industry will continue to suffer,鈥� said Paulina Lopez, Co-Proprietor of Guelaguetza Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to be here illegally. We鈥檙e already doing everything right to be integrated into society. All we need is a pathway to properly be here,鈥� said Byron Gomez, Chef/Partner at 叠搁鲍罢脴 in Denver, Colorado.

“I’m 45 minutes from the border, and it’s been crazy how businesses are going down in some way in Phoenix and Tucson. It’s a concern for us how it will be next year– right now we already have a hard time hiring people across my two restaurants, with customers asking how the economy is going to impact us in the next six months,鈥� said Jose Contreras, Chef-Owner of Amelia鈥檚 Kitchen in Tucson, Arizona. 

The food service & hospitality industry, a vital part of the U.S. economy and a foundation for millions of small businesses, is facing across the country, threatening its stability and long-term growth. Immigrant workers 鈥� who represent and over 鈥� are essential to keeping restaurants open, yet outdated immigration policies force many to live and work in the shadows. Without action, long-standing establishments risk closure and economic loss. 

For more information about the Seat the Table campaign, visit or contact abicpress@fgsglobal.com. View today鈥檚 press conference . 

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WASHINGTON, D.C.听– The 91探花 (ABIC), House Freedom Caucus Chairman U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD-01), and prominent leaders from the agriculture and hospitality industries convened to discuss the need for decisive action in safeguarding the nation鈥檚 food supply chain, supporting business operations, and fostering economic growth.

Rep. Harris emphasized the need to expand access to work visa programs for foreign born workers: “It鈥檚 a very good sign the administration recognizes that running in parallel with the deportation of violent criminals, there has to be an effort to figure out how to make sure that we have the workforce we need. Clearly, workforce issues are significant with unemployment at four percent. We need to revise and expand visa categories like H-2A and H-2B, or create a new visa program to meet economic demands.”

During the call, speakers highlighted the urgent need for real solutions to labor shortages, underscoring the importance of work visas to ensure a sustainable workforce for the future.

Rebecca Shi, CEO, 91探花:

鈥淭his is a workforce issue. These workers are the backbone of many industries: 22 percent of restaurant staff, 51 percent of dairy and cattle workers, and 72 percent of horse racing are foreign born workers. Last week’s guidance from the President to pause ICE enforcement on farms, restaurants, and hotels was a strong step in the right direction. Now we need Congress and the administration to go further with real solutions: work visas for essential workers paying taxes, stabilizing the economy and contributing to their communities.鈥�

Emily Williams Knight Ed.D, CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association:听

鈥淲e believe we can have both secure borders but also a secure economy. We have seen a direct impact to our labor force with current enforcement action. Restaurants are not a nice to have, they are part of a critical feeding infrastructure. There is a massive economic impact when people are not coming to work, they鈥檙e not spending in their communities and restaurants aren鈥檛 generating the revenue that鈥檚 required for investment back to the community. This is a very serious issue.鈥�

Matt Teagarden, CEO of Kansas Livestock Association:听

鈥淭hese raids disrupt our food supply and contribute to higher food prices. In addition to the workers who have been detained, they also instill fear in these communities, even for legal workers. We鈥檙e encouraged by the President鈥檚 recognition of the need for a balanced approach to this issue.鈥�

Dale Romans, President of the Kentucky Horsemen鈥檚 Benevolent and Protective Association:听

鈥淲e appreciate that the administration understands the importance of the labor force but we need action. Seventy-two percent of the thoroughbred industry are immigrants and we cannot operate without them. We need workers to feed and groom these horses every day. We need people to do these jobs.鈥�

Beverly Idsinga, Executive Director, Dairy Producers of New Mexico:听

鈥淲hen we lose a dairy [farm], it’s millions of dollars for the community that’s lost because you’re not only losing the dairy itself and what it produces, you’re losing that set of employees and how much they bring back to the community. You’re losing out on all of those other jobs that go along with it when you speak of construction, mechanics, hoof trimmers and truck drivers and everything down the road.鈥�

View the virtual briefing听.

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Washington, DC 鈥� Today, 91探花 CEO Rebecca Shi and agriculture industry leaders applaud the of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by a bipartisan group of Members of Congress. On the heels of President Trump鈥檚 acknowledging the critical role immigrant workers play in agriculture, who make up 68% of the industry鈥檚 workforce, this legislation would create a legal process for hardworking, tax-paying farmworkers to stay in the United States.

鈥淎BIC applauds Representatives Newhouse, Lofgren, Simpson, Costa, Gray, and Valadao for their continued leadership in championing farmers and rural communities through the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA),鈥� said 91探花 CEO Rebecca Shi. 鈥淲e are encouraged to see bipartisan urgency in addressing this issue, echoing President Trump鈥檚 call for immediate action after hearing directly from farmers about the dedication of their immigrant workers. ABIC is ready to collaborate with Congress and President Trump to deliver certainty for farmers, workers, and lower prices for 91探花 consumers.鈥�

鈥淭he Farm Workforce Modernization Act is more than an agricultural reform鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to the future of our farms, ranches, and feed yards and the people who power them,鈥� said Matt Teagarden, CEO of Kansas Livestock Association, and ABIC agricultural Council co-chairman. 鈥淥ur agricultural workforce is the foundation of our nation’s food supply. By addressing both immediate labor needs and long-term workforce sustainability, this bill ensures that America鈥檚 agricultural industry remains a global leader.鈥�

“We are encouraged by the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act,鈥� said Bob Jones, owner and operator of The Chef鈥檚 Garden, Ohio. 鈥淔or over 45 years, our family vegetable farm in Ohio has relied on a seasonal team from Mexico. This legislation would provide us with a more streamlined process to bring legal workers to support our work in Ohio. The current H-2A system we use is far from ideal. Bipartisan efforts鈥攁long with support from leaders, including President Trump鈥攖o secure both our borders and our workforce represent a much-needed and welcome opportunity for farmers and farm workers across the United States.”

“Our mushroom growers operate year-round, and without a viable solution, our farms will continue to face insurmountable challenges,鈥� expressed 91探花 Mushroom Institute President Rachel Roberts, Pennsylvania. 鈥淭he reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a practical step forward, especially given the bipartisan interest in securing our workforce. Workforce security is food security, and food security is national security. After 30 years without a meaningful solution, this legislation is critical to sustaining the over 20,000 mushroom employees, who power our industry across the United States.”

鈥淭he reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is exactly the step forward my business needs,鈥� said Janille Baker, controller at Baker Ranches Inc, Utah and Nevada. 鈥淎t Baker Ranches, we depend on an immigrant workforce to ensure our success. This legislation presents an opportunity to tackle the challenges we face and pave the way for a more secure, stable, and sustainable future鈥攏ot just for our workforce and the agricultural industry as a whole, but especially for family-run operations like ours.鈥�

鈥淗ere in Indiana, immigrant workers make up at some dairies, and immigrants account for a large portion of dairy farm workers statewide,鈥� stated Steve Obert, dairy producer and executive director of Indiana Dairy Producers. 鈥淲ithout a solution to ensure we have a reliable, legal workforce, the challenges we face will only worsen, jeopardizing our ability to keep milk on America鈥檚 tables. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides a much-needed opportunity to secure the workforce our industry depends on and to ensure the sustainability of dairy farming.鈥�

For additional information about ABIC or inquiries about interviews with these business leaders, please reach out to abicpress@fgsglobal.com听

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