Recently announced guidelines from the Biden administration won’t just help better protect undocumented workers from employer retaliation, the policy could also stand to “undermine” anti-immigrant arguments that nativist Republicans have commonly used to divide, The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent argues.
First, there’s the policy on its face. Under the administration’s plan, undocumented workers who witness or are themselves victims of labor-related abuses can now more efficiently access crucial protections against deportation. But then there are also the effects the guidelines could have on anti-immigrant forces. We previously noted how Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas said the policy could benefit all workers by reining in abusive employers. But it also “creates an awkward political situation for the anti-immigrant right,” Sargent writes.
RELATED STORY: Biden admin announces critical changes protecting undocumented immigrants abused at workplace
Campaign Action
Here's why: anti-immigrant forces (such as Tanton network hate groups) have commonly argued against comprehensive immigration reform—and pro-immigrant policy overall—by claiming that immigrant workers hurt U.S.-born workers. Now, these hate groups don’t actually really care about U.S. workers. If they did, they’d support immigration reform, which would have profound positive effects in terms of economic growth. It would create jobs and raise wages for all workers. That’s just fact.
Instead, nativist forces’ alleged concerns about U.S. workers is the excuse they use to rail against immigration to the U.S., specifically immigrants of color. Remember, the insurrectionist president openly waged hostile campaigns against immigrants from Haiti, for example, but apparently questioned why we weren’t welcoming more immigrants from Norway.
”But this new move undermines that rhetoric,” Sargent argues, uniting the common interests of all workers. None of us want a hostile workplace, after all. “In describing the shift, Mayorkas took pains to note that it will facilitate holding ‘exploitative employers’ accountable for taking advantage of vulnerable workers who are in the U.S. lawfully. Mayorkas added: ‘Employers who play by the rules are disadvantaged by those who don’t.’”
“In other words, allowing undocumented migrants to speak out about exploitative labor violations without fear of retribution helps aboveboard employers and U.S. workers, too,” Sargent continued. He noted advocates like the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) have “long argued this would help resolve perceived conflicts between migrants and U.S. workers.” In an NDLON release marking the new guidance, Unidad Latina en Acción workers rights leader Victor Agreda called deferred action “labor justice for all workers who remain silent in the face of abuse.”
“Pro-immigrant policies are pro-worker policies and help immigrants and U.S. born workers alike,” said Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice: “Despite the efforts of MAGA Republicans to pit them against each other, the reality is that GOP opposition to immigration, sensible reforms and labor protections for undocumented immigrants hurt all workers.” The group notes Labor Secretary Marty Walsh made a strong case for immigration reform at the World Economic Forum, noting its key to addressing labor shortages. "America has always been a country that has depended on immigration," he said.
Republicans have so far been quiet about the guidelines, considering they are quick to threaten lawsuits whenever the Biden administration implements any humane policy. They may sue in the end, because we all know how much very-corrupt Texas attorney general Ken Paxton loves the courtroom (when it doesn’t involve his own alleged crimes, that is). What would definitely continue to remain ignored is how the insurrectionist president’s businesses exploited and abused undocumented workers for years.
RELATED STORIES:
ICE's workplace raids have devastated workers for years. Biden admin says these sweeps will now end
