Texas leaders are rallying support to extend work permits to long-term undocumented Texans. U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar and Sheila Jackson Lee, alongside Bishop Mark Seitz, Hunt Companies Chairman Woody Hunt, pollster Celinda Lake, and representatives from Texas businesses, are urging President Joe Biden to enact policies that would grant work authorization to long-term immigrants, a move deemed crucial for safeguarding Texas families and sustaining the state’s economic vitality. Advocates say the need for work permits is crucial as the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considers the constitutionality of Texas’ Senate Bill 4, which allows law enforcement to arrest people they suspect to be undocumented immigrants. 

Texas had more than 780,000 unfilled jobs in January. Currently, there are 1.6 million undocumented immigrants in Texas, 87.5% of whom are of working age but cannot legally work despite paying $4 billion in taxes and wielding a spending power of $33.9 billion. According to a survey from the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), expanding work permits for long-term contributors is overwhelmingly popular among Americans. Nineteen U.S. senators, more than 80 members of Congress, and nearly 300 employers, CEOs, and associations have endorsed work permits for long-term immigrants, along with labor organizations like SEIU, Unite Here, Teamsters, and United Auto Workers (UAW). 

Edgar Falcon, a member of American Families United, spoke during a recent press conference calling for the work permit extension. His wife, who is a prospective Dreamer, was turned away at the border as a minor. Despite her clean record and potential to contribute as a nutritionist, she remains in legal limbo.

“My wife could help the whole community if the government would just give her status,” Falcon said. “I’m also here to debunk the myth that there aren’t many people like me. There are literally a million American voters just like me. That’s enough to determine the 2024 presidential election. Can you imagine any U.S. citizen voting for someone who does nothing to help them?”

Falcon is asking his elected leaders to “stand up and do what’s right for our families.” 

“While other immigration populations are getting relief, we are not,” Falcon said. “It’s fair to say, ‘What about our families? We are U.S. citizens.’”

ABIC, a bipartisan coalition boasting more than 1,200 CEOs, business owners, and trade associations across 17 predominantly red and purple states, is a testament to the broad-based support for immigration reform. ABIC advocates for policies that enhance economic competitiveness and facilitate the integration of immigrants into various facets of the economy, from the workforce to entrepreneurship.

Yolanda Blatts, an undocumented Guatemalan student at the University of Houston, expressed her frustration at being unable to pursue her dreams of being a nurse due to her undocumented status.

“I’m frustrated, but more than frustrated, I’m petrified about possibly being a target of arrest and deportation if SB 4 were to take effect,” Blatts said. “Immigrants are here to work, but more than work, we are people, and we deserve opportunities as well.”

Rep. Escobar, a champion for immigration reform, emphasized the need to keep families together. She reintroduced the American Families United Act, urging Biden to expand parole programs for spouses separated by immigration barriers.

Rep. Garcia echoed these sentiments, calling for the passage of the DREAM Act and expansion of work authorization opportunities.

“Immigrants are eager to contribute to their communities and the economy,” she said.

Oscar Silva, a Dreamer from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, shared his personal struggles with obtaining legal status. Despite graduating with an associate’s degree, he faces uncertainty due to his undocumented status.

SB 4 has been blocked by the courts while a federal circuit court weighs whether it’s constitutional.

As Texas leaders and their allies across the nation continue to champion immigration reform, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on President Biden and policymakers at the federal level.