The Honorable Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Secretary of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20210
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20528
Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary Noem,
The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) commends President Trump for his recent public recognition of the vital role that essential workers play in sustaining our nation’s economy and small businesses, particularly in the hospitality, construction, healthcare, agriculture, and meat processing sectors. We appreciate his statement on June 12, 2025, acknowledging the concerns of America’s farmers, hotel and leisure industries, and other employers that “very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.” We also appreciate his pledge that “changes are coming” and commitment to issuing policies soon to help stabilize and meet critical workforce needs.
As President Trump noted, our nation’s farmers and business owners rely on experienced, skilled workers, many of whom are not U.S. citizens but have become indispensable to their employers and local communities. These workers are the backbone of industries that are fundamental to our economic security and way of life. The shortage of legal channels for these essential workers threatens the stability of our supply chains, the viability of small businesses, and the strength of the American economy.
A Modernized System to Meet Economic and Security Needs
The U.S. immigration system has not kept pace with the workforce needs of our dynamic economy. Employers across the country in nearly all sectors are experiencing unprecedented labor shortages due to the lack of accessible and efficient legal pathways for essential workers. These challenges are particularly acute in sectors such as:
- Hospitality and Leisure and Retail: Hotels, restaurants, and resorts depend on reliable staff for continued operation and guest satisfaction.
- Construction: Skilled workers are needed to meet the demands of infrastructure and affordable housing nationwide.
- Healthcare: Hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies face critical shortagesthat impact patient care and public health.
- Agriculture and Meat Processing: American farmers and processors rely onexperienced workers to plant, harvest, and process our food.
It is critical that federal policies treat all industries with similar needs equitably and not arbitrarily pick winners and losers.
Recommendations for Immediate Action
As you consider policy changes and improvements to policies and programs, we respectfully urge you to:
- Expand and Modernize Visa Programs: Streamline and broaden visa programs tobetter reflect the year-round and seasonal needs of today’s economy and ensure that legalchannels are available for workers in all essential sectors.
- Promote Efficient and Fair Processing: Reduce bureaucratic delays and ensure thatemployers can quickly and reliably access the talent they need to keep their businessesrunning and expand economic growth.
- Provide Certainty and Stability: Offer solutions that allow long-serving, trustedessential workers—who have built lives and careers in the U.S.—to continue contributingto our communities if they meet certain qualifications.
Collaborating for Balanced Solutions
We stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress on balanced, practical reforms that strengthen our economy, bolster security, protect American jobs, and recognize the dignity and contributions of essential workers. Now is the time for a modern, effective immigration system that supports both national security and economic prosperity.
Thank you for your leadership and for your willingness to listen to the concerns of the business community and American employers. We look forward to forthcoming policies and to collaborating on lasting solutions.
Sincerely,
The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC)