Business and the Workforce
Immigrants not only bring diverse skills and perspectives to the U.S. workforce, they often fill employment gaps in crucial fields. We advocate for expanded work visas and related programs so our labor force can continue to benefit from immigrant workers and remain competitive in the global economy
Judicial Review of Visa Decisions After the Supreme Court’s Decision in Department of State v. Muñoz
In Department of State v. Muñoz, 602 U.S. 899 (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that a U.S. citizen and her noncitizen spouse had no access to… Read More
H-1B Modernization Rule Provides Some Comfort But Also Raises Concerns
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued its long-awaited H-1B modernization rule. The final rule takes effect on January 17, 2025. USCIS describes several of the regulations as codifying policies the agency has followed for years. The agency also emphasized that several of the regulations were enacted… Read More
Businesses and Workers Get Win with Permanent Work Permit Extension Rule
On December 13, the Biden administration issued a permanent rule that automatically extends the validity of certain work permits by up to 540 days if they are timely renewed. The American Immigration Council and many other organizations and businesses made this a key ask to the outgoing administration… Read More
Testifying on the Catastrophic Economic and Humane Costs of Mass Deportations
The American Immigration Council appeared before Congress to address the catastrophic economic and humane costs of mass deportations. Read More
Giving Thanks to the Hands That Feed America: Immigrant Farmworkers
With the approach of Thanksgiving, when many families will be celebrating with food and gratitude, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the people who help make Thanksgiving celebrations possible. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and other staples of our Thanksgiving celebrations are harvested by immigrant farm workers. In… Read More
Seasonal Immigrant Workers Are in High Demand. America’s H-2B Visa Program Isn’t Keeping Up.
Foreign workers have long provided critical support to American businesses in the busy seasons—filling temporary, seasonal jobs when domestic workers were not available. This support—almost always of manual labor—is possible due to the H-2 visa program, which Congress created in 1952 with the aim of “alleviating labor shortages …… Read More
The Expanding Role of H-2B Workers in the United States
Congress established the H-2 visa program in 1952 to allow U.S. businesses to directly hire seasonal foreign guest workers when American workers were not available, with the aim of “alleviating labor shortages … particularly in periods of intense production.” During the Reagan Administration, Congress created… Read More
Collective Action Protections for H-2A Workers Face Uphill Legal Battles
In April, the Department of Labor (DOL) published an expansive regulation aimed at increasing protections for the growing number of temporary agricultural workers entering the United States on H-2A nonimmigrant visas. A key component of the regulation establishes new protections for H-2A workers to engage in collective action to… Read More
Business Leadership on Immigration During an Election Year
At a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric is splashed across the news, it can be easy to get lost in the whirlwind of misplaced fear politicians continue to foster. But this year’s eighth annual Global Talent Chamber Network (GTCN) Convening: Business Leadership on Immigration During an Election Year served as… Read More
Building Community and Fueling Growth: The Role of Immigrants in Reviving the Great Lakes Region
“Building Community and Fueling Growth: The Role of Immigrants in Reviving the Great Lakes Region” was written in partnership with the American Immigration Council (AIC) and is an in-depth analysis of the many ways immigrant talent and resilience are essential for regional recovery, long-term economic growth, and thriving communities across the Great Lakes region. Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
