Labor Unions: Senate DREAM Act Should Be Common Sense

Permanent Protections for Dreamers, DED, and TPS Holders is a Top Issue for Labor.
It’s Right for the Country, Right for the Economy, and the Right Thing to Do.

 

In response to Senators Durbin and Graham introduction of the DREAM Act ensuring permanent protections for qualifying immigrant youth, the Working Families United coalition issued the following:

Passing the DREAM Act is long overdue.  Our unions applaud the proposal today and will push for its passage alongside its counterpart, the Dream and Promise Act, in the House.

It’s in no one’s interest to see immigrant youth or any worker forced back into the shadows or sent into exile. It is in all of our interests that they have uninterrupted rights, on-going opportunities, and stable futures to continue contributing to our workplaces, our communities and our unions.

With the introduction of the DREAM Act, momentum for permanent protections is visibly growing in Congress. The bill’s counterpart in the House, the Dream and Promise Act, now has 221 co-sponsors and is expected to come to a vote next month. The tax contributions and spending power of beneficiaries of the House bill are now available by congressional on an interactive map.

Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA). Together we represent four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE and Donaldo Posadas of the Painters Union are plaintiffs in separate class action lawsuits for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan as well as Honduras and Nepal.  Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and its counterparts in the Senate, the DREAM Act and the Secure Act, to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

Labor Unions Praise Senate Introduction of SECURE Act

Permanent Protections for TPS, DED Holders is a Top Issue for Labor.
It’s Right for the Country, Right for the Economy, and the Right Thing to Do.

Today, labor unions applaud Sen. Van Hollen, Sen. Cardin, and Sen. Feinstein’s introduction of the SECURE Act. The bill will ensure a stable future and permanent protections for the approximately 400,000 TPS and DED holders from more than a dozen nations whose legal immigration status has been terminated by the Trump Administration.  

 

The Working Families United coalition issued the following:

It should be common sense to ensure that the people who have contributed so much to our nation’s economy have a stable future. Passing the SECURE Act is urgent and necessary. It’s right for the country, right for the economy, and right for our unions’ families.

No one benefits if TPS holders lose their status. Most TPS holders are skilled professionals with deep roots in their communities and decades of training on their jobs.  Securing their place in the U.S. is about securing a crucial workforce for the construction, hospitality, and food processing industries.

If Congress does not act, the cost to TPS holders is complete upheaval for their lives and careers. The cost to our nation will be billions of dollars in lost taxes, lost Social Security contributions, and turnover costs to employers. Terminating TPS would send shockwaves through the entire economy as mortgages default, workers are pulled off the job, and project delays pile up.

Our unions are proud to see the Senators propose real solutions that safeguard the best interests of the country and the workers who contribute to it every day.

With the introduction of the SECURE Act, momentum for permanent protections is visibly growing in Congress. The Senate bill’s counterpart in the House, H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, now has 221 co-sponsors and is expected to come to a vote in the coming weeks. See a breakdown of the tax contributions and spending power of TPS holders and Dreamers on this interactive map.

Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA). Together we represent four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE and Donaldo Posadas of the Painters Union are plaintiffs in separate class action lawsuits for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan as well as Honduras and Nepal.  Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and its counterparts in the Senate, the DREAM Act and the Secure Act, to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

INFOGRAPHIC: Disaster Recovery Relies on TPS Workers

In states across the country, workers with TPS are rebuilding after the disaster. They are playing a central role to getting our cities back in gear and back on their feet after disaster strikes.

You can re ad more about the role of workers with TPS in disaster recovery in this report from the Center for American Progress.

To download a high-res version of the graphic for print, click here.

 

Unions Endorse Dream and Promise Act, Push for Swift Passage in Congress

Bill Would Provide Stable Futures for Our Members and a Stable Workforce for Our Industries

 

March 12 – Washington, DC

In response to the introduction of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act by Reps Roybal-Allard, Velazquez, and Clarke with 130+ co-sponsors, the Working Families United Coalition released the following statement:

 

The Dream and American Promise Act will provide stable futures for Dreamers and people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and a stable workforce for America’s industries.  

Passing permanent protections for Dreamers and TPS holders is in the best interest of the American people, American businesses, unions, and as equally important, for the people who wake up and go to work or school every day whose lives have been thrown into limbo by the cancellation of these programs. It should be a common sense solution for industries facing skilled labor shortages to make sure the TPS holders and Dreamers who have become trained professionals in their fields can continue their contributions instead of allowing them to be torn from their homes and their workplaces.

The economic cost of cancelling TPS would be in the billions in lost GDP, in turnover, lost Social Security contributions, and the human cost would be immeasurable. The United States does not want to see another family separation crisis.  

Our unions strongly endorse the Dream and Promise Act and urge Congress to pass it immediately.

Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

 

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE are part of the class-action lawsuit currently blocking the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, and Haiti. Donaldo Posadas of the Painters’ Union is a plaintiff in a separate case for Honduras and Nepal. Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and the Secure Act in the Senate to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

 

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Highlights from the House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Dream and TPS

On March 6th, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the fate of Dreamers, immigrants with DED, and TPS Holders.

While more than a decade of organizing for the Dream Act made everyone familiar with DACA and the status of undocumented youth, Rep. Nadler broke down exactly what is TPS and what would happen if it was cancelled.

Jin Park came to the US at a young age and now is a Rhodes Scholar. He testified why DACA recipients need permanent status.

 

Yazmin Irazoqui Ruiz of the NM Dream Team explained that the terrorizing policies of Sheriff Arpaio drove her family from Arizona.  And made the case for permanent protections for DACA recipients.

 

read her full testimony here

Yatta Kiazolu whose DED status could end in a matter of days if Congress does not act swiftly powerfully discussed the effort of her working family and her aspirations as a historian.

Read her full testimony at UndocuBlack here.

TPS holder, father of four, and coordinator of the National TPS Alliance, Jose Palma brought the room to tears with his explanation of what life in limbo means and what contributions TPS holders make.

Read his full testimony at the TPS Alliance here

Rep. Nadler asked Palma to explain how he explains the limbo to his children. There are more than 275,000 US Citizen children whose parents have TPS and are facing an uncertain future.

Kiazolu has had both TPS and DED and is by all means a dreamer. Rep. Lofgren asked her why the fate of the different programs should be saved together.

Rep. Cohen of Tennessee – unlike the Administration – investigated conditions in Honduras, key to understanding the need for TPS and the risk to people who would be sent back.

Rep. Cicilline summarized the situation. He apologized that Dreamers, DED and TPS holders have yet to get the place they deserve and have earned and thanked the witnesses for what they’ve done for the country.

 

While the Hearing continued, Representatives and advocates rallied outside and announced the soon to be introduced legislation, the Dream and Promise Act (HR6)

Rep. Raskin gave witnesses the opportunity to answer – in 15 seconds or less – “What does America mean to you?”

And while the Committee hearing discussed the fate of TPS holders and Dreamers, the people whose fate is in limbo filled the halls and met with Representatives to build support for legislation that would give them a stable future.

 

 

Watch the full hearing here

 

Labor Unions Across Industries Endorse Permanent Protections for TPS Holders and Dreamers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]March 04, 2019 – Washington, DC
Today Working Families United, the AFL-CIO, and more than 30 national unions and labor institutions sent a letter to Congress expressing their broad support for legislation that makes the protections for TPS holders and dreamers permanent and places them on a path to citizenship. The letter urges legislators:

“As labor organizations representing millions of workers in the U.S., we urge you to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations and pass legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as possible, but no later than the first 100 days of the 116th Congress, to provide permanent protection and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and individuals with TPS or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)….

…When TPS holders and Dreamers are at risk, all workers are more vulnerable to employer abuses.  However, when workers, including TPS holders and Dreamers, have legal status and rights, all workplaces benefit from higher wages, safer workplaces, and the right and ability to form and join a union.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTIwJTIwJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZkcml2ZS5nb29nbGUuY29tJTJGZmlsZSUyRmQlMkYxQkpaaW45dG1TMVJfbU5FUkFuT1Q1M043X2RwNVhMZzMlMkZwcmV2aWV3JTIyJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJ3aWR0aCUzQTEwMCUyNSUzQiUyMGhlaWdodCUzQTQwMHB4JTNCJTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNFJTBBJTBB[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551638943879{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;}”]

Labor leaders from Working Families United and the AFL-CIO are available upon request. Representatives issued the following statements:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1551638935105{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551639252847{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_text]“For the labor movement, these programs have been vital in ensuring that thousands of working people have rights on the job and the freedom to negotiate together for fair pay and working conditions. It is long past due that all members of Congress work together to immediately pass immigration legislation that will give Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients a pathway to citizenship.”   
– 
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

 

“Immigrant workers are the backbone of the American hospitality industry, and the thousands of UNITE HERE workers on TPS and DACA are irreplaceable members of their families, communities, and workforces all across the country. UNITE HERE is a long time leader in the labor movement for immigrant justice, and we are proud to join with the rest of the American labor movement today in backing this urgently needed legislation. Neither our industry nor our country could sustain losing the tremendous value and strength brought to both by dedicated, long term TPS and DACA employees.”

– International President of UNITE HERE D. Taylor

 

“Tens of thousands of LIUNA members impacted by TPS and DACA, who literally build America – contributing to the economy and working on vital construction projects across the nation – need Congress to act immediately on legislation that provides a permanent fix for workers.” – LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551638973536{padding-right: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]“For humanitarian and economic reasons, this legislation must pass. Dreamers, TPS and DED recipients have, for decades, done the work that that American industries and our local economies rely on, and they deserve to stay. Many TPS recipients are members of our union, and I know that they work hard, pay their taxes and play by the rules. Deportation back to their homeland country to face violence or disaster conditions would shatter their orderly lives and our economy. Members of Congress must stand up to President Trump’s hateful, racist objections and show that we are a welcoming country, just as it has been for millions of immigrants from all corners of the world who have helped the United States become an economic engine.”

– Painters Union (IUPAT) General President Ken Rigmaiden

 

“Abruptly ending TPS status is inhumane and bad economic policy. TPS holders pay taxes, own homes, are parents to some 300,000 children, and are vital workers in many American industries. Our lawmakers must come together to find a solution.”

– International Bricklayers General President James Boland

 

“Our country’s immigration system is broken and the government’s inability to fix it is continuing to cause uncertainty for families across the country. This bill is an important step toward providing stability for so many who have already passed background checks, pay taxes, go to school, and work hard every day to build a better America. They work side by side with us, live in our communities, and are dedicated members of our union family and countless others. We can and must do better.”

– UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer Esther López[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1551639044037{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Working Families United is a coalition of seven labor unions, including the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, UNITE HERE, the Ironworkers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,  the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Teamsters, and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing four million members fighting for immigrant justice.

 

WFU formed in 2017 in response to the pending crisis caused by President Trump’s termination of Temporary Protected Status for 400,000 immigrant workers and their 275,000 US citizen children.  Our members like Wilna Destin of UNITE HERE are part of the class-action lawsuit currently blocking the termination of TPS for Nicaragua, Sudan, El Salvador, and Haiti. Donaldo Posadas of the Painters’ Union is a plaintiff in a separate case for Honduras and Nepal. Meanwhile the coalition urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act in the House and the Secure Act in the Senate to provide permanent protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders from all affected nations.

 

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