Employers urge Biden to grant long-term immigrants work permits

A coalition of employers in the United States is asking President Joe Biden to introduce reforms allowing long-term undocumented immigrants, among others, to fill in millions of open jobs in the US.

The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), which represents more than 1,400 CEOs and employers, is asking Biden to grant work permits for "mixed-status families, Dreamers ineligible for DACA, and other long-term workers."

"Smart immigration solutions are long overdue. We have 8.5 million job openings and high inflation hammering the pocketbooks of everyday Americans and small businesses," said Rebecca Shi, executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, in a statement.

"There's no excuse for inaction now."

Shi made the remarks amid threats from former President Donald Trump to deport millions of undocumented people if he gets re-elected in the November polls, stressing the need to provide jobs for Americans.

Growing call in the US

According to the ABIC, the US is home to undocumented immigrants who earn $92 billion in household income and contribute almost $9.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.

Bob Worsley, co-chairman of ABIC, said the US has experienced growth fuelled by immigration.

"We know from the recent flood of press coverage, including reports from inside the White House, that real change is possible now," Worsley said. "This window will not remain open long. We urge the president to act immediately."

The call has been growing across the United States. Most recently, Milwaukee City Council President José Pérez also joined the call to grant long-term immigrants work permits.

He joins more than 140 local and state-elected officials from 21 US states and territories in their plea.

"We are asking the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden to step up and act now to support hard-working immigrant families in Wisconsin and throughout the country," Pérez said in a statement.

"They want no special favours. They want no special treatment. They want work permits to free them to contribute to our economy."

A spokesperson from the White House said the administration is looking possible policy options.

"The administration remains committed to ensuring those who are eligible for relief can receive it quickly and to building an immigration system that is fairer and more humane," the spokesperson told CNN.