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With Deportation Crisis Looming Congress Needs to Act

Washington, D.C. (February 16, 2018) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement.

LIUNA is disappointed that following months of deliberations and with deportation looming for millions of immigrants, the U.S. Senate failed to come together to protect Dreamers. These young immigrants, who have lived in the United States since childhood and have spent their lives contributing to this country by working, paying taxes, and even serving in our military, deserve the chance to obtain lawful permanent residence and eventual citizenship.


In addition to the failure on Dreamers, Congress did not address the crisis facing holders of Temporary Protect Status (TPS). In the past few months, the Department of Homeland Security has terminated TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan. Collectively, this will force over 350,000 people out of our nation and into a dangerous future.


As many as a third of TPS holders work in the construction industry. The deportation of tens of thousands of skilled workers will only further exacerbate the workforce shortage reported by contractors and construction industry associations.


The uncertainty and disruption faced by Dreamers and TPS recipients – including thousands of LIUNA members – needs to be addressed. LIUNA will continue to push Congress to pass legislation to find a permanent solution for Dreamers and TPS recipients, in addition to our long-standing advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform.


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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.