EWIC STATEMENT ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM
FOR THE INCOMING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) respectfully requests that your administration prioritize legal immigration reform to strengthen border security and effectively address the needs of businesses and the economy. We commend recent bipartisan efforts to reignite the critical conversation around enhanced border security and immigration reform. This collaborative approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges within our immigration system is a significant step towards meaningful change.
EWIC recognizes the initiative to build a coalition of “business, the bible, and badges” as a forward-thinking strategy that emphasizes the importance of an inclusive approach to border security and immigration reform. By advocating for the interests of businesses, religious and secular values, and law enforcement, these efforts are fostering a constructive dialogue that underscores the wide-ranging impact of border security and immigration policies on American society and economic growth.
The recent budget reconciliation efforts outlined by the House Budget Committee provide an opportunity to rethink immigration policy. We urge you to consider legislative goals that enhance legal immigration channels, streamline visa regulations, and align immigration fees with the realities of the labor market. Proposals that support the entry of skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other essential personnel are vital for meeting the current and future demands of American businesses.
EWIC supports the outlined goals to:
- Secure the border.
- Reform the outdated asylum system.
- Reform legal pathways for essential workers while reducing incentives for illegal immigration.
- Ensure humane treatment of individuals.
These objectives align closely with EWIC’s mission to advocate for practical, balanced immigration policies that benefit both the economy and the national security of the United States. Creating legal pathways for essential workers is crucial in addressing chronic workforce shortages, enhancing border security, and boosting economic growth. We particularly appreciate the emphasis on addressing work authorization delays, expanding legal temporary worker visa programs to meet industry needs, and streamlining the visa application process to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
EWIC urges Congress to prioritize these aspects in the ongoing negotiations and to move forward with legislative action that reflects the shared interests of national security, economic growth, and humanitarian concerns. By focusing on these aspects, your administration can ensure that immigration reform contributes positively to strengthening border security and expanding economic innovation and job creation.
The Essential Worker Immigrant Coalition (EWIC) is a broad-based coalition of national businesses and trade associations from across the industry spectrum concerned with the shortage of both semi-skilled and unskilled (“essential worker”) labor. EWIC supports policies that facilitate the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies that are unable to find American workers (www.ewic.org).