WASHINGTON — Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer brought the bipartisan border deal that was negotiated early this year by a group of senators back on the floor for a stand-alone vote. Following are statements from the bipartisan American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) and American Families United after the vote for cloture failed in the Senate:
“Smart immigration solutions are long overdue. We have 8.5 million job openings and high inflation hammering the pocket books of everyday Americans and small businesses. With Congress gridlocked on immigration reform for over 40 years, employers and families are urging President Biden to take swift executive action to grant work permits for mixed-status families, Dreamers ineligible for DACA and other long-term workers,” said Rebecca Shi, executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, representing 1400+ CEOs and employers across the country. “There’s no excuse for inaction now.”
“American families like mine cannot wait any longer,” said Ashley DeAzevedo, president of American Families United, representing 1.1 million United States citizens married to undocumented spouses. “With a stroke of a pen, President Biden can deliver a down payment on his commitment to our families.”
“The United States has experienced positive growth fueled by immigration,” said Bob Worsley, co-chairman of the American Business Immigration Coalition and former Arizona Republican State Senator. “We know from the recent flood of press coverage, including reports from inside the White House, that real change is possible now. This window will not remain open long. We urge the president to act immediately.”
In the past few weeks, a growing number of bipartisan lawmakers, employers, advocates and impacted families have urged President Biden to extend work permits to long-term residents — a plan that, according to reports, is gaining momentum in the White House. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the U.S. economy will see a $7 trillion boost over the next decade, due to immigration bringing increased consumer demand and an expanded labor force.
The U.S. is home to 10.6 million U.S. citizens who live in mixed-status households, with hundreds of thousands of impacted U.S. citizens in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Long-term undocumented immigrants have lived on average for 15 years in our country working, paying taxes and raising American children. Each year, undocumented immigrants earn $92 billion in household income and contribute almost $9.8 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
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American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) is a bipartisan coalition of over 1,400+ CEOs, business owners, and trade associations across the country. 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.
American Families United (AFU) is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit organization established in 2006. AFU proposes practical solutions to Congress and supports efforts to advance legislation that affects U.S. citizens married to foreign nationals. To show your support, click here.