MAYORS ADAMS, BIPARTISAN COALITION OF 40 OTHER MAYORS RENEW CALL FOR WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR IMMIGRANTS

 

Letter Comes as U.S. Senate is Considering Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Follows Extensive Mayoral Advocacy for Expanded Work Authorization 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson today led a coalition of 40 Cities for Action (C4A) mayors and county executives in calling for over 2 million work authorizations for both recent arrivals and longstanding undocumented immigrants, in the absence of long-awaited comprehensive reform by Congress. The bipartisan letter to the Biden-Harris administration can be viewed online.

“New York City is living proof that ‘The American Dream Works’ — our city wouldn’t be the greatest city in the world without generations of immigrants who have rolled up their sleeves and worked to shape this city,” said Mayor Adams. “But we know that the only way to make the American Dream work is if we let people work, because work is the foundation of that dream. In the absence of any long-overdue comprehensive reform by Congress, expanded work authorization for immigrants is a win-win-win: it allows immigrants to do what they came to this country to do and provide for their families, it prevents exploitation of workers, and it relieves some of the financial and logistical burden that shelter systems across the country have been under.”

“Chicago and Illinois are home to 320,000 undocumented Mexicans and Guatemalans, and 40,000 undocumented Haitians, Jamaicans, and Nigerians, and despite their lack of work authorization, they greatly contribute to our economies and neighborhoods,” said Mayor Johnson. “We continue to urge the federal government to use every tool at its disposal to support undocumented residents and new arrivals by giving people the ability to work, support their families, and contribute to our communities.” 

Extending work authorization to both newly arrived and longstanding immigrants would be an economic benefit to the entire nation. Authorized work leads to higher wages and reduced exploitation, enhancing workplace safety and dignity. By extending work authorizations, the Biden-Harris administration can take a significant step towards supporting these valuable community members who contribute extensively to the U.S. workforce and economy. This initiative is supported by more than 80 members of Congress; the American Business Immigration Coalition’s more than 300 employers, CEOs, and associations; as well as labor organizations like UNITE HERE, the Teamsters, and United Auto Workers.

Since this asylum seeker humanitarian crisis began, New York City has taken fast and urgent action — opening more than 200 emergency shelters to provide a roof over the heads of migrants. The city has also stood up navigation centers to connect asylum seekers with critical resources; enrolled tens of thousands of children in public schools through Project Open Arms; and launched the Asylum Application Help Center, which has already helped submit more than 50,000 applications for asylum, work authorization, and temporary protected status. Last August, Mayor Adams hosted “The American Dream Works” — a rally with hundreds of asylum seekers, union members, business leaders, and elected officials calling for expanded work authorization for asylum seekers. Last year, the city released “The Road Forward: A Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis,” detailing how the city will continue to manage the influx of asylum seekers and advocate for support from federal and state partners.