Jesus Contreras, paramedic and DACA recipient: This will “help a lot of DACA recipients and Dreamers.”

HOUSTON — Today, , CEO of Marek Bros. Construction Stan Marek, and Amegy Bank CEO Steve Stephens joined the 91̽�� (ABIC) for a press conference to celebrate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals’ (DACA) 12th Anniversary and the Biden-Harris administration’s granting work permits to long-term residents, highlighting the significant impact that Dreamers and mixed-status families have on the economy. Impacted families, advocates and business leaders praised the Biden-Harris administration’s . Speakers emphasized how this action is good policy, good politics and good for the Texas economy.

Dreamers, elected officials, business leaders and advocates showcased how Dreamers have benefited Houston’s economy and how Biden’s new policy will shield long-term residents from exploitation while growing the city’s workforce. In Houston, Dreamers paid . In addition, undocumented residents earn .��

Here are their statements:

, City of Houston:��

“It is so rewarding to share this occasion with civic, business, individuals, chamber leaders, participants in the Dream Act because this is special. This is a day of celebration, but it’s also a day of challenge. We’ve come so far, certainly with DACA and the Dream Act, but we have so far to go. So let’s all rededicate ourselves to that population that is making Houston the great city it is. This nation and state benefits from this talent pool. We’ve heard from business leaders that we need additional personnel. We need talented, intellectual folks that can bring their life experiences to help others.”

, Chief Diversity Officer of the Harris Health System:��

“I applaud President Biden’s recent executive order to expand work permits for Dreamers and spouses of U.S. citizens. It is a significant step forward. And as you’ve heard previous speakers talk about the shortages in our workforce, the health workforce is not immune to this as well. We currently face significant labor shortages with 8.7 million job openings, but only 6.4 million unemployed workers. This disparity leaves nearly 2.4 million positions unfilled, if every unemployed person found a job.��

“We are also affected here in Texas, with employers, as you’ve just heard, in key industries struggling to find the workforce they need. The issue is especially critical for the healthcare workforce sector, where labor shortages can directly affect patient care and public health. Access to work authorization and a path to legal status for Dreamers are critical to addressing our shortages, maintaining Houston’s competitiveness and keeping Houston families together. I urge lawmakers in Congress to advance this much needed policy to help our Houston area residents.”

Steve Stephens, CEO of Amegy Bank and Chair, :��

“The most important thing in any society is an underlying healthy economy, to create jobs. That solves a lot of problems. Today, more than any other time in my career of over 50 years is that every employer says, ‘I need a growing workforce, qualified and available. That’s a universal demand, certainly in Texas. DACA is the epitome of a pragmatic solution, because you’ve got educated, driven youth who, for whatever reason, don’t have the documentation we’ve seen at a lot of vocational schools and other places where you’ve got qualified youth, and the only thing that stops them at the very end is they’re not documented. They can’t get a good job. That’s not pragmatic, that’s not smart and that’s why we need to keep pushing good, pragmatic solutions.”

, DACA recipient and paramedic with the Montgomery County Hospital District:��

“I want to thank the President for recently [announcing] this rule that would help a lot of DACA recipients and Dreamers. […] I am a long-time Tejano. I’ve been here over 24 years. I’ve given my life to this country. I am no longer a kid like we used to describe us DACA recipients. I am now a 30-year-old man with a wife who depends on me, with a family that depends on me. Please give us the opportunity to continue to work. My ask is for Congress and the administration to pass permanent legislative solutions to resolve these issues that we have. This is not only for us DACA recipients — this is for Texans, this is for U.S. citizens. Let’s make some common sense laws happen.”

, Dreamer nursing student at the University of Houston ineligible to apply for DACA:��

“My journey has been shaped by my immigration status, which has impacted both my career and life aspirations. I graduated from B.F. Terry High School, despite my undocumented status. When I turned 15, I was eligible for DACA but due to President Trump’s rulings and a Texas federal judge, I was unable to apply. This meant that my access to financial aid and certain academic opportunities were limited. For example, although I was accepted to The University of Texas College of Nursing, I was unable to attend due to insufficient funding. My life aspirations include being a nurse practitioner and helping others through nursing. I want to help break barriers for others with health care access. […] Employers now have an easier way to sponsor work visas for Dreamers, like myself.”

Jorge Avila, U.S. citizen married for 15 years to an undocumented wife who is currently unable to return from Mexico, and an member:��

“Today, our organization thanks President Biden for expanding work authorization for spouses of U.S. citizens. I’m here to urge President Biden and Congress to expand work authorization to my wife and help bring her back home.Our daughter misses her mother terribly and managing work, parenting and household duties alone has been very stressful. If we are reunited through a work permit, we could start rebuilding our savings and building our family back together again, pursuing a dream of one day starting a company. This will provide us stability and a brighter future for ourselves. I urge President Biden and lawmakers to expand work authorizations for U.S. citizens like my wife. President Biden, please allow my wife, and many families like mine, to live together in the country we know and call home, the United States of America.

, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, requested that Yolanda Batz join her:��

“I want you to have a face to this issue.[Yolanda] has graduated from the University. She’s knocked on doors, despite the big need that we have in health care. This young woman is bilingual, educated, driven and she’s come very far with very little support from Congress that could absolutely change her trajectory — and that of thousands of others in this particular city and across the country. We ask you to please remember this face and do the right thing.”

Stan Marek, CEO of Bros. Construction:��

“I am a builder. My company builds everything you see — floor, ceilings, drywall, paint, everything. And we have the biggest labor shortage I’ve seen in my 60 years of being in the industry. Never have I had more of a need for people. We’re working at the airport, M.D. Anderson, Memorial Hospital, churches, schools, we need people. The people are here. We have 750,000 undocumented in Houston. We have a ton of kids eligible to be Dreamers, if they would reopen the act. We could solve the labor shortage with the Dreamers […] It’s a no brainer. […] I could hire 150 people tomorrow if they had legal status.”

, Owner of Galindo’s Coffee and Elixirs, DACA recipient:��

“I want to highlight the impact that DACA recipients can have on other people. I was lucky enough to receive DACA status 10 years ago. Since then, I graduated from Sam Houston State University. I’ve opened up multiple businesses and now my company staffs over 70 employees, all who now have jobs, can provide for their families, can live the 91̽�� Dream and buy houses. This story is the same story as many other DACA recipients. There’s also a lot of people out there that just need that one chance, just like I got when I got DACA. That’s why it’s so important to keep moving this forward, because we all make an impact, and there’s so many people out there that they just need that one chance.”

Emiliano Valencia, Texas Deputy Director of the 91̽��:

“I am also a DACA recipient, proudly raised in Houston and an example of what Houstonians can achieve when we have access to work authorization. Twelve years ago, the administration created DACA to help Texans like me legally work, have a career and live the 91̽�� Dream. Thanks to this incredible program, I was able to graduate from Sam Houston State University while working as a bank manager at Woodforest National Bank. Now, I help other Houstonians also achieve their 91̽�� Dream.

“We come together to honor the significant contributions of DACA recipients and Dreamers to the Houston economy and community. We are also here to thank the current administration for expanding work permits for the spouses of U.S. citizens and making it easier for employers to sponsor Dreamers, like me, for work visas. These policies will address our city’s workforce challenges, grow our economy and keep families together.

“Today’s event is not only a celebration of DACA’s impact but also a call to action for President Biden and Congress to work together to further expand work authorization and create a path to legal status for Dreamers, the spouses of U.S. citizens and long-term residents who do not benefit from last week’s announcement.”

Dreamers and long-term residents make vital contributions to Texas’ economy and communities. Key facts:

• Texas only has .
• is employed, contributing and wielding .
• live with at least one undocumented resident, comprising mixed-status families. (less than 18-years-old) live with at least one undocumented resident.

BACKGROUND:

Associated Press:

Houston Landing:

91̽�� Immigration Council:

91̽�� Immigration Council:

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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 Houston Mayor Whitmire Joins 91̽�� and Community Leaders to Celebrate DACA’s 12th Anniversary and President Biden’s Action to Support Long-Term Residents appeared first on 91̽��.

HOUSTON — Today, the , the 91̽��, and the hosted a panel discussion to explore opportunities to expand work authorization for the immigrant spouses and parents of United States citizens and potential impacts on Houston’s growing economy.

Texas had over of this year. Meanwhile, , including married to U.S. citizens, cannot legally work, despite paying $1.4 billion in taxes and wielding a spending power of $11.6 billion. At the event, speakers highlighted how practical solutions for workforce shortages and Houston families are critical to maintaining the Houston region’s economic competitiveness.��

This question of work authorization greatly affects vulnerable undocumented workers, of whom are married to U.S. citizens and have U.S. citizen children. shows significant public support for providing this population with work authorization. Thus, it is time to push for a work authorization program for this population if Congress does not act.��

The panel discussion occurred as Texans await court rulings from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on SB4, which would allow law enforcement to arrest and deport residents who entered the U.S. illegally, and DACA, which protects young 91̽��s from deportation and allows them to legally work.��

Here’s what the speakers had to say:

Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas Director of the 91̽�� and DACA recipient:

“Thanks to a work permit, I was able to legally work as a public school teacher, obtain a driver’s license and live the 91̽�� Dream. We hope President Biden and Congress will work together to expand work permits for long-term residents, including the spouses of U.S. citizens, Dreamers without DACA and residents who have paid taxes and lived in the U.S. for many years.”

Harris County Commissioner (Precinct 2), the son of immigrants:

“In the greater Houston region, it is estimated that long-term residents pay $1.4 billion in taxes and possess nearly $15 billion in spending power. It is indisputable that this population has been paying taxes and contributing to our economy for decades while withdrawing from our respective governments far less than they contribute. Just imagine how much more they could contribute if they had reasonable access to work authorization. There is no doubt that expanding work authorization is smart and good for business.”

Chris McCarthy, Chief of Staff, Office of :

“The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the ongoing surge in immigration will boost the U.S. economy by $7 trillion over the next decade. We must empower long-term immigrants, spouses of U.S. citizens, Dreamers and others to be a permanent part of this growth by giving them work authorization, and for Dreamers, a pathway to citizenship. By expanding our workforce, we will not only fill gaps in the labor market and grow our economy, but empower immigrants to live fruitful lives and support their families, a desire rooted in the 91̽�� Dream.”

, President and CEO, :
“For businesses, the biggest factor right now is trying to find employees. We get calls every day from small business to large corporations. We are here. We have the demographic to fill those jobs. The impact that it’s having is that many businesses are shutting down because they cannot find employees. In Houston alone hispanic consumer spending is over 54 billion per year. I don’t remember the last time anyone asked me if my money was from a person who was documented or not. They take our money one way or the other. We’re paying into the system.�� We get so many calls — ‘I’m here, I’m undocumented, I have a business, I don’t know where to go, my son or daughter is graduating from high school, they’re trying to go college, where can they go?”

, Member, :

“Since her green card denial, my wife and I have been forced apart. Daniela is living in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and am in Arlington, TX. Due to cartel violence and my work schedule, I can only visit her on Christmas and her birthday. President Biden said he would not separate families, but today, he continues to separate us from our loved ones, including U.S. citizen children from their parents. I call on him to expand humanitarian parole and work authorization for immigrants like my wife and allow her to return to the U.S. He should allow families like mine to live together in the only country we call home: the United States of America. ”

Yolanda Batz, Dreamer Student, University of Houston:

“The reality is that my immigration status severely limits my ability to work and achieve my dreams. I asked Memorial and Methodist hospitals about sponsoring a work visa, but they declined. I applied to every hospital I could, and they replied with emails stating that I would not be eligible to work within their systems. These challenges make it clear that expanding work authorization is crucial not only for my future but also for the countless others who are eager to contribute to our communities and economy. I hope President Biden and Congress will work on a path to legal status, or at least a work permit, for Dreamers like myself.” 

, Associate, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.:

“This panel brought to light one of the most significant immigrant-focused economic questions in Houston — what would it look like to expand work authorization to over 55,000 immigrant spouses married to U.S. citizens in the Houston area?” said Rachel Magaziner, attorney at Munsch Hardt. “It was an honor to sit alongside other brilliant minds and truly give this topic room for discussion.”

Emiliano Valencia, Texas Deputy Director of the 91̽�� and DACA recipient:

“As a DACA recipient, I am an example of what long-term residents can do when provided access to work authorization. Houston’s booming economy and workforce challenges are why we are asking President Biden to expand work authorization opportunities for long-term residents who have been working and paying taxes for decades. President Biden, long-term Houston residents want to legally work and contribute to our economy. Let them.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

Here are some key facts about how immigrants make vital contributions to Texas’ economy and communities:

• Texas only has .
• are employed, primarily in construction, food services, waste management and manufacturing industries.
• live with at least one undocumented resident, comprising mixed-status families. (less than 18-years-old) live with at least one undocumented resident.
• is employed, contributing and wielding .
• Texans are undocumented Dreamers. These are young people who came to the U.S. as children, grew up here, and attended U.S. schools. They are 91̽�� in every way. But they lack access to DACA due to recent court rulings and the DACA program’s 2007 arrival requirement.��

In addition to Texas, the to , and grow by more over the next decade. Immigrants in the U.S. have a combined household income of and contribute and , leaving them with .

###

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 Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and State Sen. Molly Cook Join Local Hispanic 91̽�� Leaders for Panel Discussion: “Here to Work: Immigrants Growing Houston’s Economy”  appeared first on 91̽��.

150+ U.S. Latino Elected Officials, 58 from Texas, Recently Endorsed Letter Urging President Biden To Extend Work Permits to Long-Term Immigrants in 2024

Reports Indicate Biden Action As Early As June

TEXAS — Today, the 91̽��, in partnership with the Texas House of Representatives (MALC) — the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the United States — held a virtual press conference urging the White House and Congress to grant legal work permits to long-term residents, including the undocumented spouses and immediate family of U.S. citizens, Dreamers who do not qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and long-term workers without a path to legal status. The event occurred as the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is considering lawsuits against SB 4, which would arrest and deport undocumented immigrants, and the DACA program, which protects young 91̽��s who came to the U.S. as children and lack immigration status.��

Speakers included Latino lawmakers representing Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley, as well as business leaders and Catholic bishops who collectively are urging President Biden and Congress to do the right thing and dedicate attention to long-term residents who have been working and paying taxes for years, even decades.��

The press call highlighted the growing crescendo behind this policy move. Sources have recently told and that President Biden is considering administrative action to expand access to work permits for the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, potentially as early as June 2024.

More than , including 58 from Texas and across 21 U.S. states and territories, sent a letter in support of extending work permits to these groups to the White House, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Jaddou. The policy is estimated to boost tax revenue by $13.8 billion annually while safeguarding long-term immigrants from exploitation, advancing a strong U.S. workforce and protecting Texans from SB 4, if this law takes effect. (View the full letter .)

Statements from event participants:��

Jorge Avila, Member, , married for 15 years to an immigrant spouse who currently lives in Mexico, due to a 10-year immigration bar:
“Last week, I met with the White House to continue to urge President Biden to help my family, and I will continue to go to D.C. until I have my wife back. President Biden, we need you to be our ‘John Rambo’: please expand work authorization for our families and allow them to live together in the only country that we call home — the United States of America.” 

Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas State Director, 91̽��:

“As a DACA recipient, I am an example of what immigrants can accomplish and contribute to our economy when we have access to work authorization. Thanks to a work permit, I was able to legally work as a public school teacher, obtain a driver license and live the 91̽�� dream. President Biden needs to expand work authorization to other long-term Texas residents.”

State (D-Dallas), MALC Chairwoman:
“Texas has the eighth largest economy in the world and while we have an exceptional workforce, we need many more workers. More than 1.6 million long-term residents lack work permits and could fill the gap and catapult our economy if given the opportunity.” 

State (D-Austin):
“Expanding work authorization will benefit so many 91̽�� families and our economy, especially in Texas. Our Texas economy can continue to grow if we protect families that contribute to our society and communities.” 

, Executive Vice Chairman, :
“In a startling revelation, the that Texas faces a dire shortage, with just 80 available workers for every 100 open positions. This crisis spells trouble for the Lone Star State’s businesses, threatening the sustainability of its booming economy. By not expanding work authorization for long term residents, Texas risks losing its economic vitality.”

Brandon Baeza, Dreamer ineligible for DACA:
“I am an example of the more than 277,000 undocumented Dreamers in Texas who are striving for a chance to contribute more fully to the country we’ve known as home, and to apply our skills, education, and passions to enrich our communities and the economy. Today, I call on President Biden to expand work authorization for long-term residents. President Biden, we are here to work. Let us.” 

Sandra Avalos, DACA recipient:
“Thanks to DACA, I work as a Parent Programs Manager at the LULAC National Education Service Center in Dallas. I say that I am lucky because I know that there are at least 8,000 students that graduated from Dallas ISD last year that don’t have that same opportunity to work legally. There are folks that were left out of DACA since its inception. There are also folks that during the Trump administration and after the supreme court ruling submitted their initial application, paid the $495 fee, and have not received their work authorization card.” 

State (D-Dallas):
“We have a labor force that is largely made up of immigrant labor. The ‘Texas Miracle’ has been driven by generations of hard-working immigrants that have built the cities that we all live in and enjoy today. Without that plentiful supply of high-skilled immigrant labor, we would not be experiencing the ‘Texas Miracle’ that has now gained notoriety worldwide. The solution here is not complicated. Short of a comprehensive immigration reform bill, President Biden has the opportunity, with the stroke of a pen, to provide these 91̽��s without status an opportunity to bring their human capital to bear for their fellow Texans.” 

State (D-Fort Worth):
“This is my business, President Biden. For 30 years, I’ve been in the construction, swimming pool and irrigation systems business. Expanding work authorization is an urgent matter because right now prices are going to continue to go up. The quality of goods and services is not the same. It’s not fair, it’s not the 91̽�� way and we can correct that now. We can bring safety and security for mixed-status families.” 

State (D-Houston):
“There are over 572,000 that fit into the category of immigrants who do not have legal paperwork. Over 60 percent have been here 10 years or more. These are our friends, neighbors, co-workers. They’re here and they’re doing great things for our city and for our state. If we can give them proper paperwork, they can expand their businesses, hire more people, pay more taxes, make more money and spend more, helping improve Houston, the entire state and the entire nation. We thank President Biden for not only doing what is right, but what is good for the nation economically.”

, Catholic Diocese of El Paso:
“Immigrant workers are integral to the life of our nation. They tend our fields, maintain our roads and staff our hospitals. Through these and other acts, they labor for us all. Without their contributions, 91̽�� communities would grind to a standstill. The Church remains committed to securing rights and justice for those who labor humbly in the shadows, and we urge leaders to undertake much-needed reforms that recognize their essential contributions. Consistent with this, we ask the Administration to take all action within its power to protect long-time undocumented residents of 91̽�� communities, especially the members of mixed-status families and others with close ties to our country.”

###

91̽�� (ABIC) 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.

The was founded in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives by a small group of lawmakers of Mexican 91̽�� heritage for the purpose of strengthening their numbers and better representing a united Latino constituency across the state. MALC is the oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus in the United States.

The post Texas Latino Elected Officials, Catholic Bishops and Advocates Call On Biden To Extend Work Permits to Long-Term Immigrant Residents appeared first on 91̽��.

Watch Durbin economic briefing and García press conference; download

WASHINGTON – Sonia Gamez, a farmer and member of (Bastrop), traveled to Washington, D.C. on April 16-17 for a briefing on Capitol Hill, calling on the Biden administration to extend work permits  to immigrants who are long-term members of 91̽�� families and residents of U.S. communities. To interview her about her experiences, contact press@americanbic.biz.��

On Tuesday, she participated in an economic briefing hosted by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (R-IL), with U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) held a press conference at the House Triangle to make the case for work permits for all, alongside other business, labor, community and family leaders. He and U.S. Representatives Correa (D-CA) and Espaillat (D-NY) also sent a to the Biden administration accelerating this call to act.��

The New York Times reported on the among families of mixed immigration status and employers across the country, who want President Biden to extend work permits to immigrants who have been living in and contributing to this country for years. The Wall Street Journal reported on the for their non-citizen spouses and other long-term residents to stabilize the workforce, grow the economy and keep families together.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the for their non-citizen spouses and other long-term residents to stabilize the workforce, grow the economy and keep families together.

Watch the economic briefing and Congressman Garcia’s press event; access from both days in Washington, D.C.

Sonia Gamez is an engineer, owns a farm and is a member of . She is a U.S. citizen married to her husband for seven years. Due to immigration bars, there is no pathway for her husband’s adjustment of status. “Hardship to U.S. citizens isn’t considered under U.S. immigration laws. We have missed out on major life events. I couldn’t buy a home on my income alone; children were postponed and finally foregone. The possibility of deportation was always present,” she said. Sonia’s husband was deported and then the victim of extortion at gunpoint. Due to his deportation, Sonia has been forced to deal with major health problems alone, including countless doctor and emergency room visits and surgery. “I could have died without ever living together as husband and wife. We don’t have time. We urge President Biden to grant parole to our spouses,’ Sonia stated.

“Today, there are an estimated 1.1 million U.S. citizens married to an undocumented immigrant.�� Our laws are supposed to provide U.S. citizens an opportunity to sponsor their noncitizen family members, but our outdated immigration system includes many categorical bars that prevent spouses from obtaining status. These families live in fear that their loved ones may be deported at any time,” said U.S. Sen. Durbin. “These immigrants already pay taxes and work in our communities. If they were given a path to citizenship, it would bring stability to their families—and they would pay an additional $5 billion dollars in taxes.”

Durbin continued, “It’s time for our Republican colleagues in Congress to set aside extremist rhetoric and come to work with us on solutions. But 91̽�� families need solutions now.�� That is why I led a letter with 18 of my colleagues to President Biden asking him to provide the spouses of U.S. citizens with a work permit.�� It is only a temporary solution—ultimately Congress needs to act.�� But it is essential that we do everything possible in the meantime to allow these families to live free of fear of deportation and stay together.”

“I’ve heard from employers across my district. They need workers, and they want to hire the ‘right way’. I’ve heard from my constituents who have been waiting for too long to get work permits,” said U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. “Our message to the President is clear. It’s past time we provide immigrants, who’ve already been doing the work and keeping our country running, with the work permits they deserve. Jobs not only create opportunities for immigrant families, but also bring stability to entire communities. We are stronger because of immigrants, not despite them. Expanding access to them is a matter of economic justice.”

U.S. Senators Durbin, Rosen, Warnock, Fetterman and 15 other senators to President Biden asking him to “protect and unify 91̽�� families” and “provide much needed relief for undocumented immigrants and the 91̽�� businesses, families, and communities that rely upon them.” Chicago Mayor ; Iris Ramos Jones, Director of the Nevada Office for New 91̽��s ( by Gov. Lombardo); more than ; and representing U.S business, labor, local government, faith, civil rights and family voices have been calling for this commonsense policy change for years.

On April 5, U.S. Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas the call to action. The proposal is legally , politically and requires only to the existing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy manual to expand work permits to nuclear relatives of United States citizens.�� 

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we have in the U.S., but only . Even if unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have nearly . The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office attributes a increase to the national GDP to immigration. While mixed-status families already contribute billions in federal, state and local taxes, a FWD.US estimate finds that permitting undocumented spouses to work legally would .��

Immigrants make vital contributions to Texas’ economy and communities. Key facts:

• Texas only has .
• are employed, primarily in construction, food services, waste management and manufacturing industries.
• Texas immigrants comprise and make up more than , contributing to the economy.
• Texas immigrants wield and pay .
• are working age and unable to legally work. They pay and harness .
• live with at least one undocumented person, comprising mixed-status families. (less than 18-years-old) live with at least one undocumented person.
• is employed, contributing and wielding .

In addition to Texas, the to , and grow by more over the next decade.�� Immigrants in the U.S. have a combined household income of and contribute and , leaving them with .

The post Sonia Gamez (91̽�� Families United) Back from Washington, D.C. appeared first on 91̽��.

“Today, there are an estimated 1.1 million U.S. citizens married to an undocumented immigrant.�� Our laws are supposed to provide U.S. citizens an opportunity to sponsor their noncitizen family members, but our outdated immigration system includes many categorical bars that prevent spouses from obtaining status. These families live in fear that their loved ones may be deported at any time,” said Senator Durbin. “These immigrants already pay taxes and work in our communities. If they were given a path to citizenship, it would bring stability to their families—and they would pay an additional $5 billion dollars in taxes.”

Durbin continued, “It’s time for our Republican colleagues in Congress to set aside extremist rhetoric and come to work with us on solutions. But 91̽�� families need solutions now.�� That is why I led a letter with 18 of my colleagues to President Biden asking him to provide the spouses of U.S. citizens with a work permit.�� It is only a temporary solution—ultimately Congress needs to act.�� But it is essential that we do everything possible in the meantime to allow these families to live free of fear of deportation and stay together.”

Added Sen. Padilla, “We need to do more to provide stability and dignity for those who have earned it. That’s why I joined Senator Durbin in calling upon the Biden administration to use the authority that they have to do this and more. And while we push for the president to exercise his executive authority, we recommit to the long-term efforts here in Congress, the legislative process to provide citizenship for essential workers, a pathway to citizenship for the millions of long-term U.S. residents and more dignity and respect for them and their families.”

Rebecca Shi, Executive Director, 91̽��, said, “We are inspired by President Biden granting work permits to new migrants and ask that he extends the same dignity of a legal work permit to long term residents, including spouses of U.S. citizens.”

“As we outline in our new FWD.us analysis, President Biden should expand eligibility for Parole in Place to spouses of U.S. citizens both for the significant benefits that parole would afford them and their 91̽�� families, but also our economy,” said Dr. Phillip Connor, senior demographer at FWD.us, who presented his demographic analysis. According to the report, extending work permits to the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens would boost the economy by $16 billion and add at least $5 billion in extra tax revenue.

Family-leaders from 91̽�� Families United (AFU) traveled to DC from Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin to make their families a priority in immigration discussions happening within the administration and on Capitol Hill.

Heather Gonzalez, from Ohio, is Vice-President of 91̽�� Families United. She said, ”The system doesn’t work for U.S. citizens like me, and it doesn’t work like you see in the movies. You do not marry an 91̽�� citizen and automatically get a green card. We have members whose spouses were already deported, or have left the country and are now stuck, trying to find a path back. We are US citizens fighting for our undocumented spouses. President Biden, we are tired and frustrated of being left out, but we are not giving up! We’ve launched a national campaign, Protecting 91̽�� Families, with events in California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, North Carolina, and Nevada. President Biden, we need you to act now. No US citizen should be forced to choose between their country and their spouse. Some of us have been living this life in limbo for decades and more. President Biden-  follow through on your promise and bring long overdue relief to 91̽��s in mixed status marriages with the power of your pen.” 

Allyson, from Philadelphia, board member for 91̽�� Families United said, “My husband and I have 3 children. When I started fighting for my family and families like mine, my kids were in strollers. Now they’re adults wanting to start their lives as contributing U.S. citizens, but their father’s status remains an obstacle to their goals. I deserve to enter the next phase of my life peacefully without this constant fear of familial devastation by separation or exile looming over our family. If this warrants another 20 years of advocacy from me, I will be 72 years old and I fear resolution may come too late for my family. We see over migrants who arrived in the last several months gain work permits and family reunification through parole while our 91̽�� families waited 20 years, working, paying taxes and CREATING jobs like my husband. We are stuck, left out, and feel disrespected.”

The senators and leaders from 91̽�� Families United were joined by labor and business leaders as well. “Our union supports expanding work permits for long-term undocumented individuals because it is an important step to help immigrant workers be more secure in their workplaces and provide stability to immigrant families,” said Karen Kent, President of UNITE HERE Local 1.

“As a mother of two sons and a former caseworker for young people in the state’s care, I have often wished I had a magic wand to protect our children. Well, we can create magic right now by expanding work permits for long-term undocumented people. We can ensure that immigrant families and children have the stability and protection they deserve,” said Roushaunda Williams, member of UNITE HERE Local 1 who serves on the Executive Board of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

Gerardo Diaz of Illinois represented his family and . He said, “I’m a blue-collar 91̽��, born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. I’m tired of waiting for you, President Biden, to act for my two beautiful children, my daughter Nathalia, 7, and my son Gerry, 2, who I haven’t been able to live with for two years because they are with their mother, my beautiful wife Elizabeth, who was rejected at her immigration interview in El Salvador and hasn’t been allowed home. How many more 91̽�� families will have to be separated like mine before you use your authority? My daughter Nathalia and son Gerry are waiting for your answer.”

Added Sam Sanchez, owner of and a Board Member at the , “The President has provided work permits to 1.4 million new arrivals over the last 13 months from Venezuela, Cuba, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Haiti and more; while 8.1 million Mexicans have worked and paid taxes to this country for 20, 30 years and never had a legal work permit. These individuals have been waiting for work permits for decades and now have U.S. citizen spouses and children who are of voting age. It’s offensive that the White House is denying my employees and other immigrants the same dignity of a legal work permit being granted new arrivals. President Biden, if you like our labor, our sweat and our taxes, please, please extend the dignity of work permits for Mexicans and long-term immigrants.”

Mariana, a Dreamer at DePaul University and member of in Chicago, said, “Despite dedicating the past four years pursuing my education, I am prohibited from working in a public accounting firm. The absence of a work permit hinders my ability to secure scholarships that will fund my master’s program and prevents me from engaging with future employers. A work permit would give me and my parents better jobs and allow me to pursue my dreams of becoming a CPA.”

Matt Teagarden, CEO of the , stated, “Long-term immigrants are already making invaluable contributions to agriculture and many more have the skills to fill the gaps in our workforce and would do so, if given the opportunity of a work permit. 91̽�� farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world, but unless we fix the labor crisis we will see more crops rotting in the field, livestock operations unable to grow and more of our food production moving overseas. Farmers and ranchers need workers.”

Everk Sanchez, from Arizona, is married with five daughters. His wife has DACA. Everk said, “I am one of 32,000 Arizona families pleading with President Biden to grant work permits to our immigrant spouses. I am married to an amazing woman named Rosa Elena. She’s a DACA recipient. Rosa owns and operates a small family carpentry business in Arizona where she works hard to provide not just for her family, but also for her parents, employees and our community. She’s a wonderful mother and a pillar of strength for her five daughters. Our family is one of so many who embody the 91̽�� dream. Our 13-year-old recently had the chance to perform with her mariachi band at the White House. I never imagined that our broken immigration system would threaten to separate my family because of outdated laws. Rosa could be forced to leave our children or a home or our community behind. We came to Washington, D.C. to try to fix this problem and keep our family together — to help other families. Spouses of U.S. citizens, like my wife, should not be separated from their families.”

Irayda Flores, Owner of El Mar de Cortez Corporation in Arizona, said, “I have created many jobs in this country. I am a living example of the 91̽�� dream, but along the way I have faced many struggles in my pursuit of a Green Card (which I proudly received last year). I am just one example of the potential immigrants have for our communities and economy. As a business owner, I can tell you we need more workers. Immigrants are here to work. President Biden, you are a leader, so lead and don’t wait on others. Use your authority to grant work permits to long-term immigrants who are fueling our economy.”

Amanda, an member representing 17,000 U.S. citizens in Michigan and married to her husband for nearly nine years; parents of two children, said, “We have been dealing with my husband’s immigration issues for years. We tried doing things the so-called ‘right way,’ but it was not successful for us due to inadmissible bars. He was denied his return to the U.S. with our family, after his consular interview in Mexico. We suffered a lot over the years. Last year, due to stress, my husband suffered a brain aneurysm and needed emergency brain surgery. I was thousands of miles away and completely helpless. Even in that dire circumstance, we were unable to get any type of relief. Thankfully, my husband recovered and returned with us in the U.S., through other legal channels. But, this does not fix the problem

Megan, U.S. citizen from Wisconsin, with husband for 20 years; parents of two children, said, “My husband has worked in multiple industries. Despite this, my family can be separated or I can be forced to leave my country just like thousands of other U.S. citizens. These are the immigration policies that are actually hurting U.S. citizens and 6,000 Wisconsinites are in the same situation as me. Frankly, I am shocked that President Biden hasn’t taken the issue of family separation of U.S. citizens seriously. He has the authority to act and provide our spouses with work permits and protection from separation.”

Lillie Williams is from Pennsylvania, and has been married for 10 years to a Honduran man. Their son is five years old and she is now pregnant with his little brother. Lillie said, “We’re tired of waiting for the Biden administration to act for 91̽�� families like mine. Our ask to President Biden is that he please grant my 91̽�� Pennsylvania family the option to live in safety to grant my husband and all spouses of U.S. citizens a work permit. We’ve owned three businesses together — a cafe, coffee shop and now a landscaping business. We have been job creators and employers, but my husband’s looking to be an employee for his own businesses. We need the government to take action that is in their control to allow us to grow our family, our businesses and live securely, without worrying about what tomorrow will bring.”

Jason Rochester, a Teamster from Georgia, has been married for 17 years. The couple’s son was diagnosed with kidney cancer after Jason’s wife was subjected to a 10-year bar over six years ago. He said, “We’ve seen President Biden grant parole and family reunification to hundreds of thousands of new migrants from Venezuela and Cuba over the last year. AFU has a political report showing many of us live in swing states where our numbers are greater than the vote difference between the winner and loser of the 2020 elections. We’re asking President Biden, when is it going to be our turn? We waited for 10, 15, 20 years. When will you treat 91̽�� families with the same dignity and respect as new migrants?”

Lisa Winton, CEO of in Georgia, stated, “We talk about manufacturing and the growth here in the United States and bringing it back and reshoring. We need the people to fill those jobs if we’re going to continue to grow and thrive in the coming years and get these workers. We need President Biden to use his authority under current law to extend work permits for immigrant workers who have been contributing to the U.S. economy for years. I appreciate Senator Durbin’s leadership in this issue and I’m glad that my senator Raphael Warnock signed on to his letter urging the president to grant work permits to a critical group of immigrants. The labor shortage is being widely felt. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has ranked Georgia more severe when it comes to labor shortages.

“There are countless immigrants eager with deep roots in our communities who are ready to work, yet constrained by the immigration reform gridlock in D.C. Unlocking their labor power via work permits is a practical solution President Biden can activate right now. President Biden, I encourage you to grant workforce authorization for long-term immigrants. Keep manufacturing here in the United States and fill our factories with workers.”

Jenni Rivera is from North Carolina. She is the U.S. citizen spouse of an undocumented immigrant; together, they have two daughters. She said, “I’m here today to ask President Biden to act for my family, the 23,000 other North Carolinian families like mine and the 1.1 million U.S. citizen spouses in my situation across the country. We need the president to grant work permits to our spouses. We are sick of waiting when we have worked and paid taxes for so many years. We contemplated my husband leaving the country to start living out his bars, but we could not think of a time when our children did not need both of us. Why should my children have to suffer? Why should I have to choose between my country and my family?”

Manolo Betancur is the owner of in Charlotte, North Carolina, an immigrant from Colombia and a social entrepreneur. He said, “as a Small 91̽�� owner and an 91̽�� citizen, I need more people to work with, and I don’t have it. As a father, I can’t imagine my life here with my family deported. As a citizen, I say family separation goes against the values of this nation. Please, President Biden, we are better than this and we can fix it.”

Senators Durbin, Rosen, Warnock, Fetterman and fifteen other senators to President Biden asking him to “protect and unify 91̽�� families” and “provide much needed relief for undocumented immigrants and the 91̽�� businesses, families, and communities that rely upon them.” Chicago Mayor ; Iris Ramos Jones, Director of the Nevada Office for New 91̽��s ( by Gov. Lombardo); more than ; and representing U.S business, labor, local government, faith, civil rights, and family voices have been calling for this commonsense policy change for years.

Senators Durbin, Padilla, Rosen, Warnock, Fetterman and other senators to President Biden asking him to “protect and unify 91̽�� families” and “provide much needed relief for undocumented immigrants and the 91̽�� businesses, families, and communities that rely upon them.” Chicago Mayor ; Iris Ramos Jones, Director of the Nevada Office for New 91̽��s ( by Gov. Lombardo); more than ; and representing U.S business, labor, local government, faith, civil rights, and family voices have been calling for this commonsense policy change for years.

On April 5, DHS Secretary Mayorkas the call to action. The proposal is legally , politically and requires only to the existing USCIS policy manual to expand work permits to nuclear relatives of U.S. citizens.�� 

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are in the U.S., but only . Even if every unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have across the U.S. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office attributes a increase to the national GDP to immigration. While mixed-status families already contribute billions in federal, state, and local taxes, a FWD.US estimate finds that permitting undocumented spouses to work legally would by $5 billion.��

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91̽�� (ABIC) 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.

The post VIDEO/PHOTOS: Sens. Durbin and Padilla, Labor, 91̽�� and Mixed-Status Families — Access to Work Permits for Long-Term Immigrants Equals $5B More in Taxes appeared first on 91̽��.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso) called on the Biden administration to expand work permits and keep 91̽�� families together. Rep. Escobar, who previously introduced the , stated, “We can help families — especially — come out of the shadows and work toward a better future in our country.” She shared the example of U.S. citizen Edgar Falcon who married his wife, Maricruz, at the U.S.-Mexico border after she was refused a visa. “These families have had to navigate two worlds, causing them to miss birthdays and special occasions and not be able to see their loved ones. Immigrants provide so much to our communities and their contributions have grown our culture, our economy and our country for the better.”

Said U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston), “Expanding work authorization for immigrants isn’t just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do. Studies have shown that allowing immigrants to work legally leads to economic growth and job creation. Together, we can ensure that all immigrants have the opportunity to contribute and thrive in the country they call home. Today, I’m urging the Biden administration to expand work authorization opportunities for immigrants.”

added, “It is a fundamental need of any healthy society that we create conditions in which the family is healthy.�� This requires that family unity is preserved, married couples and children are united and the family can be supported, not as some kind of underclass condemned to constantly needing handouts, but through the opportunity to use their God-given abilities to care for their own.“

Texas State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), the son of immigrants, said, “Immigrants are the oxygen that flows through the blood of America, in each successive generation. The Biden administration has a unique opportunity now to enhance work authorization. It is a truism that in order for the United States to prosper, we need to increase legal immigration. In order to decrease illegal immigration, we must increase legal immigration.” Rep. Anchia stated that about in Dallas County could immediately be put to work if the Biden administration acts. He extolled a system of willing employers and willing workers, explaining that with a system that is safe and legal, we could solve this relatively quickly. “I urge the Biden administration to do everything in their power to put people to work, to help them live the 91̽�� dream and to contribute to this place that we love,” added Anchia.

“It is economically important, politically smart and morally right for President Biden to expand work authorization opportunities for long-term undocumented Texans who are ready and willing to give back,” said . “We don’t have enough workers to fill the jobs we have. If we want to keep this economic engine turning, the business community needs the President to act and for Congress to help us find more legal workers.’

, shared highlighting strong support in seven swing states for expanding work permits for undocumented immigrants (including long-term workers, farm workers, Dreamers and the spouses of U.S. citizens). “The strongest arguments in favor of this policy are the personal stories, like the ones shared today. Mixed-status families, families with children. The conversation about the labor force that the business leaders talked about, and also concerns about exploitation. Because people believe if you keep this many workers in undocumented status, you are creating a situation for workplace exploitation, including for people who are citizens and people who are not citizens. Across the board, the data defies the politics and we see very, very strong support for this policy — support that transcends partisanship and candidate preference.”

Edgar Falcon, a teacher and El Paso member of , said: “For 11 years, I have fought to live here with my wife. Instead, I spend hours every day commuting back and forth across the border. My wife was turned away as a minor but would have qualified as a Dreamer if she had been in the U.S. She is now studying to become a nutritionist in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. There is a labor shortage of nutritionists in El Paso. My wife could help the whole community if the government would give her a work permit.”

Added Yolanda Batz, a Dream Scholar at the University of Houston, “Right now, my biggest dream is to be able to work as a nurse and care for Texans, but without a work permit, I am not allowed to do so. I am also petrified that if SB 4 takes effect, my family and I could be targets of arrest and deportation. Access to work authorization would allow my family and me to apply for a driver’s license, which could protect us from this law. President Biden, please expand work authorization opportunities for Texans like me and my family.” 

Oscar Silva, a Dreamer and student at the University of North Texas (Denton) contributed, “Next month, I’m on track to finish my undergrad journey. Without a work permit in sight, I plan to attend grad school until our federal government creates a solution. The uncertainty of not having a work permit and the possibility that SB 4 will take effect has left me in a state of constant stress and fear for the reality that I will graduate ‘into the shadows’ someday. President Biden, please expand work authorization opportunities for my parents and me so that we can legally use our talents and skills and be protected from SB 4.”

The gathering occurred as the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considers the constitutionality of , which allows law enforcement to arrest people they suspect to be undocumented immigrants.��

Texas had over in January of this year. Meanwhile, cannot legally work, despite paying $4 billion in taxes and wielding a spending power of $33.9 billion. Expanding work permits for long-term contributors is among 91̽��s generally. Nineteen ; 80+ of Congress, 300+ and associations and organizations like SEIU, UNITE HERE, the Teamsters and United Auto Workers (UAW) are also backing the plan.��

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The post RECORDING: Reps. Escobar and Garcia; Bishop Seitz; State Rep. Rafael Anchia; Woody Hunt; Celinda Lake; 91̽�� Leaders and 91̽�� Families United Explain Policy, Polling and Impact of Extending Work Permits to Long-Term Undocumented Texans appeared first on 91̽��.

The “Here to Work: Hispanic Immigrants and the Texas Economy” panel will discuss contributions of Hispanic Texans, who contribute:

• $465 billion to the state’s gross domestic income
• 40 percent of Texas’ economic growth between 2011 and 2021
• $4 billion in taxes, by 1.4 million undocumented Hispanic workers
• $33.9 billion in spending power

Juan Carlos Cerda, moderator and Texas State Director of the bipartisan 91̽�� (ABIC), will lead a discussion on the “Here to Work” campaign that urges President Joe Biden to expand and provide work permits to long-term immigrant contributors who have worked and paid taxes for years or even decades, including over and targeted by , which would forcibly separate United States citizens from their spouses and parents.��

WHAT: TAMACC Hispanic Leadership and 91̽�� Summit Panel:
“Here to Work: Hispanic Immigrants and the Texas Economy”

WHO: Texas State Representative Ana Maria Ramos (��-�龱���󲹰�����Dz�)��

Juan Carlos Cerda, moderator and Texas State Director, 91̽��
Kristin Etter, Director of Policy and Legal Services, Texas Immigration Law Council
Oscar Silva, Dreamer and President, UNT Eagle Dreamers

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, 2:30 PM CST

WHERE: Texas Capitol Auditorium, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701

The post Texas Hispanic Leadership and 91̽�� To Discuss Economic Impact of Latino Immigrants, Need for President Biden to Expand Parole and Work Permits and Anti-Immigrant Bill SB4 appeared first on 91̽��.