Unions Fight Back: The Economic Impact of Revoking Work Authorization for Immigrants

UNIONS ON THE WARPATH!

The AFL-CIO and a coalition of unions representing workers in the manufacturing, hospitality, construction, food processing, and service industries have filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to deny the Trump administration’s attempt to end humanitarian parole and rescind work authorization for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This is a MAJOR move, folks! The unions are fighting back against what they call a cruel and inhumane attack on immigrant workers.

THE STAKES ARE HIGH!

The unions contend that the Trump administration’s effort to abruptly end humanitarian parole for more than 500,000 immigrants—all of whom are here legally, and many of whom are union members—is not only cruel and inhumane to them, but would generate chaos in workplaces. The loss of these immigrant workers would condemn their remaining co-workers to punishing work conditions, including excessively long shifts and safety hazards. It also would put the companies where they work at risk of no longer being able to meet consumer demand due to the sudden reduction in their staffing. This move would also exacerbate worker shortages affecting many industries, especially manufacturing and food processing—the latter of which could be slowed down to the level of the COVID-19 pandemic if the Trump administration abruptly deports these skilled workers.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS SEVERE!

The economic consequences of abruptly ending humanitarian parole for these immigrants are staggering. Worker shortages, increased labor costs, and reduced productivity would ripple through key industries. For example, in the agriculture sector, a sudden reduction in the workforce could potentially double milk prices due to the integral role of immigrant labor in dairy farms. In the construction industry, the workforce shortfall of about 400,000 workers could result in fewer homes being built, ultimately driving up housing costs. Infrastructure projects might also face significant delays or be canceled outright due to a lack of available labor.

THE DATA DOESN'T LIE!

The economic contribution of these unauthorized workers is immense. A policy of mass deportation would immediately reduce the nation’s GDP by 1.4 percent, and ultimately by 2.6 percent, and reduce cumulative GDP over 10 years by $4.7 trillion. This reduction in GDP would have far-reaching effects on the economy, including reduced tax revenues and increased costs for employers. Mass deportation would cost the federal government nearly $900 billion in lost revenue over 10 years. This loss in revenue could affect the funding of essential public services, further exacerbating the economic impact of worker shortages and increased labor costs.

THE UNIONS ARE FIGHTING BACK!

The AFL-CIO filed this amicus brief as part of its broader work pushing back against the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant workers. The federation and several national and international unions recently called on the Salvadoran government to release unlawfully deported union member Kilmar Abrego Garcia from detention. The unions are standing up for their members and for the economy as a whole. They are calling on the Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s effort to deport these valued members of our workplaces and communities.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!

The unions are urging the Supreme Court to deny the Trump administration’s attempt to end humanitarian parole and rescind work authorization for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This is a MAJOR move, folks! The unions are fighting back against what they call a cruel and inhumane attack on immigrant workers. The economic consequences of abruptly ending humanitarian parole for these immigrants are staggering. Worker shortages, increased labor costs, and reduced productivity would ripple through key industries. The unions are standing up for their members and for the economy as a whole. They are calling on the Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s effort to deport these valued members of our workplaces and communities.