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Rep. Soto: President Biden鈥檚 actions 鈥渃ritical in keeping Central Florida鈥檚 diverse families together鈥�
KISSIMMEE, Fla. 鈥� Today, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) and state Reps. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) and聽 Rep. Johanna Lopez (D-Orlando) joined state lawmakers, several local Chambers of Commerce and business leaders with the 91探花 (ABIC) and to celebrate President Joe Biden鈥檚 executive action granting work permits to the undocumented spouses of 91探花 citizens and work permits for Dreamers, long-term immigrants who have been in the United States for many years.
The U.S. is home to who live in mixed-status households, with hundreds of thousands of impacted U.S. citizens in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and Georgia. Long-term undocumented immigrants have lived on average for 15 years in our country working, paying taxes and raising 91探花 children. Each year, undocumented immigrants earn
At the event, impacted families, advocates and business leaders praised the Biden-Harris administration for keeping 91探花 families together, with speakers showcasing how this action is good policy, good politics, and good for the Florida economy. Here鈥檚 what the speakers had to say:
(D-FL): 鈥淲hat a historic day, yesterday. We thank President Biden for his major new immigration reform. This will affect over a half a million 91探花s, including many families here in Central Florida. Many people already think that spouses of U.S. citizens and children of U.S. citizens have an easy pathway to work and become citizens. Nothing could be further from the case. That鈥檚 why this executive order is so critical in keeping Central Florida鈥檚 diverse families together. Since DACA 12 years ago, we had yet to see more reforms to help our Dreamers, young people who know no other country but the U.S. That鈥檚 why we are so thrilled to see that part of this executive order includes work permits for Dreamers, not just those registered for DACA but those too young to qualify. This is a lifesaver for our region and it鈥檚 a recognition of the important role that immigrants play in Central Florida鈥檚 economy.鈥�
, District 42 (D-Orlando): 鈥淢y parents both immigrated here from Iran. I know how important it is to create an environment that welcomes our immigrants rather than demonizing them. Two of Florida鈥檚 largest economies are tourism and agriculture, both rely heavily on immigrant workers. If we do not pass common-sense policies, like work permits for folks who are already tax paying individuals, we are hurting our economy and our communities. Florida is reliant on sales tax revenues 鈥� the counties that develop the most are going to be counties like ours, Orange and Osceola, because we are welcoming travelers from around the world. The people creating those magical moments are immigrants 鈥斅爓orking in restaurants, picking crops, building hotels. We need to look at this from the perspective of what is best for our economy and communities. We are a nation of immigrants. It鈥檚 what makes the United States so great.鈥�
, District 43 (D-Orlando):听鈥淚n an election year, decisions like this are crucial. Expanding work authorization and keeping families together will boost our communities鈥� economy, providing stability and growth. We thank President Biden for his actions. It’s time for us to support policies that protect families, support employers and ensure our state’s future.鈥�
Romy Moreno, Florida Deputy Director of the 91探花: 鈥淲e are here today with elected officials as business, advocates and community leaders to thank President Biden for using his authority to extend work permits to the spouses of U.S. citizens, as well as roll out programs that will enable many Dreamers to access work permits through their employers. This is good for families and it鈥檚 good for our economy. We applaud President Biden for this decision which will help increase prosperity for all Floridians and keep Florida families together.鈥�
Stacy Lynn, 91探花 Families United member, mixed-status family impacted: 鈥淚’m excited about Biden’s executive order yesterday. This will be everything that my family needs along with hundreds of thousands of other 91探花 families with undocumented loved ones. I鈥檓 advocating for work permits and driver’s licenses. Not only would these changes promote family unity it would benefit Florida’s economy largely.鈥�
, President of the : 鈥淭his is a step in the right direction. We are very appreciative of the courageous action the president has taken to make these changes. We look forward to a robust, comprehensive immigration reform that would allow more individuals who have been in the U.S. many years, who have contributed to the economy under harsh conditions, to see a path to citizenship and to be able to continue to be productive members of their communities. We are the melting pot of the world 鈥� we need to show that to the world and to people seeking the 91探花 Dream.鈥�
Karen Patricio, Dreamer and Community Organizer, (FWAF): 鈥淲e are the backbone of this country and we shouldn’t continue to be treated as second-class citizens. We’ve always been contributing members of society. We have to do better and hopefully this action starts an avalanche to change the lives of families in Florida that are struggling. We appreciate the Biden administration’s efforts in addressing some of the numerous challenges within our broken immigration system. We hope that these straightforward changes will continue the conversation and create more pathways to address the injustices faced by invisible communities that are often overlooked.鈥�
, President of the : 鈥淭he lack of comprehensive immigration laws has led to a severe deficit in available workforce, leaving countless businesses struggling to meet their labor needs. This shortage not only hinders the day-to-day operations of these companies, but also poses a significant threat to the overall process and success of the Central Florida area. That鈥檚 why President’s Biden鈥檚 action is incredibly positive and crucial 鈥� it鈥檚 the kind of sensible solution we require when Congress fails to act.鈥�
, President of the :听鈥淭he Asian 91探花 community here in Central Florida is very strong, about 10 percent of the population of Central Florida. They own 15,000 businesses, so they are also suffering, just like the other communities. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 urgent, from not only a human point of view but from an economic point of view, to bring many of the undocumented immigrants into the economic system so we can alleviate the major economic issues the speakers have outlined.鈥�
, President and CEO of (IHRMC): 鈥淧resident Biden’s executive action grants work permits to long-term immigrants to sustain Florida’s farming growth. We celebrate this while we continue fighting for more people to be granted work permits.鈥�
Expanding work permits for long-term contributors is among 91探花s generally. Earlier this year, State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), State Rep. Johanna Lopez (D-Orlando) 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鈥� needs. View the full letter .