Texas families and employers have immigration issues, but it’s not just an issue that continues to be covered in the media.
More than 3 million Americans live with a spouse, parent, or other illegal alien in Texas. We also know that nearly two in three undocumented Texans (64%) have contributed to the community here for more than a decade. They are essential to our economy and competitiveness, pay $4 billion in taxes and have $33.9 billion in purchasing power.
Meanwhile, Texas employers are struggling to fill open jobs. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that for every 100 job openings in Texas, only 80 workers are available.
There is a simple, bipartisan solution that is a win-win for Texas families and the Texas economy. Since 2008, the federal government has expanded work authorization to spouses and children of U.S. military and veterans. Congress and the Biden administration should extend this opportunity to other American families.
This simple fix could reunite families like the Avilas. Jorge Avila and Daniela Avila have been married for 17 years. He and his children are U.S. citizens. She is a Mexican citizen.
On Daniella’s immigration day, an immigration officer told her that she would have to first leave the United States and wait 10 years outside the country before she could get a green card. They currently live in two different countries, Houston Landing reports.
With simple common sense solutions, Daniela can return home. Her family will get her mother back. And Texas will gain new workers who can contribute to the state’s economy.
The right thing for Texas families to do is the right thing for Texas businesses to do, and neither can afford to wait any longer. Allowing people who have worked and paid taxes here for decades – people who raise their families here – to work legally, earn a living, and help the economy is a boon for their families and employers. becomes.
That’s why America’s business, worker, faith and community leaders are calling for this action, and a poll conducted by Lake Research Partners shows widespread and overwhelming enthusiasm for it. It is. In fact, most voters believe that spouses of U.S. citizens can already work here legally.
The border crisis is just one aspect of a broken and polarized immigration system. Our workforce crisis is another. We can secure our borders and enact immigration solutions that meet the needs of our economies and families. Congress should act on a bipartisan compromise negotiated in the Senate to do just that.
Across the United States, at least 5.5 million U.S. citizens under the age of 18 and 5.8 million adult U.S. citizens live with an undocumented spouse, parent, or other loved one. They are already an American family. All they need is for the federal government to treat them like family. It’s good for our economy and it reflects who we are as Americans and as Texans.
Congressman Colin Allred (D-Dallas) represents Texas’ 32nd Congressional District. Woody Hunt is the Executive Chairman of the Board. hunt companyVice-Chairman Council on Regional Economic Development and Educational Development El Paso Treasurer American Business Immigration Coalition.
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