May 14, 2024
GALEO Impact Fund
Media Contact: Lorena Mora-Basto
Director of Communications
fOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Atlanta, GA) -The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), with the support of the GALEO Impact Fund, held a press conference to address a critical issue facing our nation’s long-term immigrants today, May 14th, at 10:00 AM EST.
The conference called on President Biden to take decisive action by providing legal work permits to long-term immigrants, such as undocumented spouses and immediate family members of U.S. citizens, Dreamers who do not qualify for DACA, and long-term workers without legal status.
This press conference featured a diverse group of speakers, including Latino elected officials, business leaders, and directly impacted individuals from across the United States, with a focus on vital battleground states like Georgia. These voices united in urging President Biden to provide the opportunity for work permits to long-term immigrants who have contributed to our society by working and paying taxes for years, and in many cases, decades.
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat, the only formerly undocumented immigrant serving in Congress and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, shared his insights and experiences. NHCSL’s East Region Chair and Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves also provided remarks.
“Immigrants and Latinos add immense economic and cultural value to every facet of life in Georgia and beyond,” says Kyle Gomez-Leineweber, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at GALEO Impact Fund. “Expanding work permits to longtime immigrants, many of whom are helping to provide for mixed-status households, would bring a new degree of security and dignity to Georgia’s families, workforce, and communities.”
Long-term immigrants unequivocally deserve work permits that shield them from exploitation and empower them to fill vital roles in our workforce, effectively matching their skills with the demands of employers. Such measures have the potential to significantly bolster the United States’ annual tax revenue by an estimated $13.8 billion.
The GALEO Impact Fund stands firmly behind this initiative and urges President Biden to take immediate action. We emphasize the critical importance of providing safety and security to long-term immigrants—our friends, neighbors, spouses, parents, and relatives—who have been instrumental in building Georgia’s economy and nurturing American families..
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