RECORDING .
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and State Sen. Molly Cook Join Local Hispanic 91探花 Leaders for Panel Discussion: 鈥淗ere to Work: Immigrants Growing Houston鈥檚 Economy鈥澛�
HOUSTON 鈥� Today, the , the 91探花, 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 economic competitiveness.聽
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.聽
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 91探花s from deportation and allows them to legally work.聽
Here鈥檚 what the speakers had to say:
Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas Director of the 91探花 and DACA recipient:
鈥淭hanks to a work permit, I was able to legally work as a public school teacher, obtain a driver鈥檚 license and live the 91探花 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.鈥�
Harris County Commissioner (Precinct 2), the son of immigrants:
鈥淚n 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.鈥�
Chris McCarthy, Chief of Staff, Office of :
鈥淭he 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 91探花 Dream.鈥�
, President and CEO, :
鈥淔or 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鈥檚 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鈥檛 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鈥檙e paying into the system.聽 We get so many calls 鈥� 鈥業鈥檓 here, I鈥檓 undocumented, I have a business, I don鈥檛 know where to go, my son or daughter is graduating from high school, they鈥檙e trying to go college, where can they go?鈥�
, Member, :
鈥淪ince 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. 鈥�
Yolanda Batz, Dreamer Student, University of Houston:
鈥淭he 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.鈥澛�
, Associate, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.:
鈥淭his panel brought to light one of the most significant immigrant-focused economic questions in Houston 鈥� what would it look like to expand work authorization to over 55,000 immigrant spouses married to U.S. citizens in the Houston area?鈥� said Rachel Magaziner, attorney at Munsch Hardt. 鈥淚t was an honor to sit alongside other brilliant minds and truly give this topic room for discussion.鈥�
Emiliano Valencia, Texas Deputy Director of the 91探花 and DACA recipient:
鈥淎s a DACA recipient, I am an example of what long-term residents can do when provided access to work authorization. Houston鈥檚 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.鈥�
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Here are some key facts about how immigrants make vital contributions to Texas鈥� 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 91探花 in every way. But they lack access to DACA due to recent court rulings and the DACA program鈥檚 2007 arrival requirement.聽
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 .
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91探花 (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.