12 OCT 2021

DHS Releases Memo on Worksite Enforcement, Immigration Hub Responds

Washington, DC — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a memorandum announcing new policy changes on immigration enforcement at worksites that aim to reduce the exploitation of undocumented workers by unscrupulous employers and address labor trafficking. Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, in response:

“The new DHS memo is a major win for workers and families. More than just about the much-needed safety measures for worksites, this is a significant policy shift that centers the rights of all workers and recognizes that we can no longer be a country that separates families. We all know too well the devastating consequences of mass raids on children and loved ones. Relief from such a threat is tremendously powerful and welcomed.

“The memorandum today would put an end to ruthless crack-down policies that have dehumanized and endangered immigrants, and shifts accountability to unscrupulous employers rather than vulnerable workers. Mass worksite raids, where hundreds of workers could be apprehended at a time and separated from their families, have wreaked havoc on communities and local economies. The Mississippi raid of 2019, in which 680 people were arrested in a single day, serves as a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the fear and chaos suffered by undocumented workers and their families who are left without their loved ones or answers.

“Additionally, new changes outlined in the memo would provide protections from deportation for workers who report labor violations, meaning greater repercussions for employers who take advantage of the undocumented status of their workers to steal wages or force them to work in unsafe conditions. Too often, these employers face little to no consequences, while those they exploit face the threat of retaliation and deportation.

“Undocumented workers pay taxes and form the backbone of our economy. Rather than hunting them down for deportation, they deserve to be protected. The announced changes today in worksite enforcement do just that, and will have a tremendous impact in the lives of millions of immigrant families. It’s high time for change, and we applaud the Biden administration for taking decisive action to ensure the safety and rights of immigrant workers. However, progress cannot end here. Building a just immigration system will also entail providing lasting protections via legislative reform, and Democrats will be expected to deliver this year.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.