11/23/2022

Employers’ request lame duck immigration activity

The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC), of which LeadingAge is a member, has asked Congress to use the end of this legislative session to make meaningful changes to key immigration-related policy. EWIC is a broad-based coalition of national businesses and trade associations from across the industry spectrum concerned with the shortage of both “semi-skilled and unskilled” (essential worker) labor force. 

On November 21, EWIC issued a statement proposing Congress address “smaller-scale” immigration reforms that will serve to help stabilize the U.S. workforce for both workers and employers. Addressing legislation that deals with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to find a path for permanent citizenship would assist health care employers and several other industries that hire such workers. The Statement also highlights the need for a national policy that includes a workable guest worker program that properly accounts for America’s current and future workforce needs.