Leaders of 80 business groups, including large companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Target, warn Congress that the US would lose $ 1,000 million dollars per month if DACA ends, for which they urged to approve a definitive protection for the ‘dreamers’

The more than 600,000 ‘dreamers’ protected with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) contribute $11 billion annually to the United States economy, so leaving them without immigration protection would unleash a “crisis,” warned 80 leaders business.

“We represent the backbone of an American economy facing immense workforce challenges in the wake of the pandemic. We will face another crisis if Congress fails to act on an issue that has strong bipartisan support from the American people,” says the letter sent to Congress in reference to DACA.

They add that the end of this program will mean that some 22,000 jobs would be lost every month for the next two years, if Congress does not act.

That equates to nearly 1,000 job losses per workday at a time when the US economy is already facing significant labor shortages. “When a DACA recipient’s last work permit expires, the US will have lost more than 500,000 jobs, and the economy will lose as much as $11.7 billion annually—about $1 billion a month—in DACA recipient income. who used to be employed.

Signatories include the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Federation of Retail Trades, the Association of Retail Industry Leaders, and the United States Chamber of Commerce. .

“We write on behalf of thousands of American companies, large and small, representing every major sector of the US economy and more than half of the country’s private sector workers,” the letter says.

It was also signed by large companies, such as Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Eli Lilly, General Motors, Hilton, IBM, IKEA, Levi Strauss, Microsoft, Molson Coors, Target and Verizon.

“Dreamers are an essential part of the fabric of our nation. They strengthen communities, make our companies more innovative, and deserve the right to live with dignity in the United States […]. It’s time for Congress to act,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

Brad Smith, vice president and president of Microsoft, spoke in the same vein.

“The Fifth Circuit’s decision makes their [Dreamers’] future more uncertain than ever […]. We need Congress to implement a bipartisan legal solution,” he said.

What is the concern

The pressure from businessmen comes after Judge Andrew Hanen took up the case sent by the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and determined that DACA is an “illegal” program, but will only allow renewals while making a final decision.

On October 31, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will operate the new rule on DACA, which passed the Federal Register process, but could face another serious legal challenge in court.

“In recent years, this coalition has called on Congress to act and pass a permanent, bipartisan legal solution that would allow Dreamers who currently live, work and contribute to our communities to continue doing so,” the signatories say.

Employers cite polls on the strong support of Americans (71%), regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans, to protect these immigrants.

“At NAM we advocate for our comprehensive immigration agenda called ‘A Way Forward’ and Congress must provide certainty to millions of Dreamers who came here as children,” said Jay Timmons, President and CEO. of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Federation of Retail Businesses, also urged that Dreamers be allowed legal residency.

The lawsuit that led to Judge Hanen’s decision was initiated by Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, filed alongside his counterparts from Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia. .

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