Chicago City Wire

Chicago, IL -On June 14, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) co-led a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to issue paroles and expedited work permits for undocumented migrants in Sanctuary Cities like Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to help address ongoing labor shortages, mitigate labor exploitation of children and adults, and provide financial independence for undocumented migrants, including new arrivals and those who have called Illinois home for longer. These policy actions outline a path forward to self-sufficiency that promotes economic stability for the broader Chicago community.

“As the wife of a Dreamer, the daughter of working immigrants, and the Congresswoman of IL-03, I know how urgently our immigrant neighbors and asylum seekers yearn for an opportunity to contribute to our nation and economy. Now, President Biden can use his executive authority to provide them with that opportunity. An opportunity to set roots, to safely and legally join the workforce, to become financially independent, and to fully and openly contribute to our economy while responding to labor shortages and mitigating labor exploitation that threaten our community’s well-being and our economy,” said Homeland Security Committee Vice Ranking Member Congresswoman Ramirez. “ By providing broad parole to keep families and communities together, as well as expedited work permits, the Biden-Harris Administration will pave a critical step towards immigration reform, protecting migrant workers, including children, from abusive and exploitative labor practices, and helping small businesses fill their open positions. I look forward to working hand in hand with the President and the Administration to help the more than 11 million immigrants waiting for this essential relief and opportunity.”

“For over one year, the City of Chicago has sheltered and provided resources for thousands of migrants sent to our community as part of an inhumane political stunt orchestrated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Illinois prides itself on being a welcoming state, in a nation built by immigrants, but we need more resources,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “Further, we must issue expedited work permits to both new arrivals and undocumented immigrants. Not only would this address the ongoing labor shortage that employers are facing, but it would also create a pathway to financial independence for so many. That is why I am joining my colleagues in calling for swift action to help keep families and communities together all while supporting our local economies.”

“The majority of migrants coming to this country are coming for two reasons: A chance at a better life and a chance to provide for themselves and their families. As both a Representative in a sanctuary city as well as an American, I believe we have a responsibility to help them do so,” said Quigley. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in asking the Administration to take action and expedite work permits. Extending parole for these migrants will not only allow them to contribute to our communities, it will also address labor shortages across industries.”

The letter received the support of immigrant organizations like The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), United We Dream, and the Immigrants' List Civic Action (ILCA).

People fleeing desperate situations in their home countries and seeking refuge in the U.S. need to be able to support themselves while they wait for approval of their claims for protection. We thank Rep. Ramirez for her leadership in calling on the White House and Homeland Security to extend humanitarian parole to these people and enable them to provide for themselves and their families,"  said ICIRR Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Benito.

“While some Republican governors perform stunts with the lives of migrants and democratic-led cities receive them, President Biden has an obligation to provide them with the tools they need to thrive in the United States. When people move, their human rights move with them, and we applaud Rep Ramirez, Rep. Schakowsky, and Rep. Quigley for pushing this administration to live up to their promises and support newly arrived migrant and the larger undocumented community,” said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Federal Advocacy for United We Dream.

"Parole has been an essential element of our nation’s Immigration laws since at least the 1940s when we recognized the need to provide shelter for those fleeing persecution. Immigrants’ List urges the Biden Administration to use parole as an essential element of our immigration policy in protecting those fleeing persecution, natural disasters, and political and economic catastrophes and to protect undocumented immigrants who have resided in our country for lengthy periods of time from deportation. In addition, the Biden Administration should grant employment authorization to those paroled into the United States to help meet our economies’ desperate need for farmworkers, healthcare workers, and service workers," shared the Immigrants' List Civic Action. 

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Original source can be found here.