With the support of Democratic congressmen, several civil organizations asked President Joe Biden’s government to expand parole and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) programs for undocumented immigrants.
“[Se pide] conditional release for immigrant taxpayers who have been [en EE.UU.]including all spouses of US citizens, who have TPS and DED,” say the promoters.
To do this, they will mobilize 5,000 people on November 14 in Washington, DC, called the “Here to Work” Day of Action.
ABIC Action and allied organizations launched the proposal with the support of the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrat Dick Durbin (Illinois), and Democratic representatives Delia Ramírez (Illinois), Verónica Escobar (Texas) and Robin Kelly (Illinois).
The promoters of the campaign consider that there is a shortage of labor, which can be faced with undocumented labor, granting them work permits.
“[Se] called on President Biden to use his existing legal authority under immigration law to resolve pressing issues holding back our economy and burdening immigrant families, specifically, immigrants who have lived in the United States for decades, have paid their fair share of their taxes,” defend the organizers.
Congresswoman Ramírez highlighted the recent decision of the Biden Administration to benefit more than half a million immigrants from Venezuela, who will be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), if they arrived in the country before July 31, 2023.
“Given these realities, now is the time to provide the broader immigrant community with a safe and legal path to join the workforce, become financially stable, and contribute fully to the vitality of our communities,” he said.
Representative Escobar considered that the measure would be a “great relief” for undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for several years.
“Expanding work permits would mean doing the right thing for thousands of people who have paid their dues. “They have worked, followed the rules, contributed to our economy, raised families here,” she considered.
Rebecca Shi, executive director of ABIC Action, highlighted the contributions of the undocumented.
“We call on President Biden to provide work permits and parole to these long-time American residents to strengthen our economy and our families,” he said.
Ashley De Azevedo, president of American Families United (AFU), pointed out that this would also benefit more than two million mixed families, that is, those where one of the spouses is undocumented.
“The president can act, and must act, to maintain the unity of families, including the more than two million American citizens from mixed-status families who are trapped in a failed immigration system,” he considered.
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