El Centro Hispano joins Here to Work a Nationwide Campaign to request President Biden Job permits for All
El Centro Hispano as part of El Colectivo NC participated in the Here to Work National Campaign in Washington DC, which aims to encourage President Biden to broaden work authorization opportunities for long-term immigrant contributors.
On November 13, over 800 people participated in the Here to Work summit. On November 14th conducted visits with 271 bipartisan Congressional, White House and Cabinet officials. Over 2200 people from 29 states marched to the White House to make sure President Biden knows immigrant communities, US citizen spouses, employers, union members and faith leaders want him to grant work permits for all long-term immigrants using the power he already has under existing law, through Parole, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
This massive event was a labor of love by so many organizations that have come together around our shared commitment to winning work permits for long-term immigrants – ABIC, CASA, American Families United, El Colectivo NC, El Centro Hispano, El Pueblo, Hendfact, Comité Popular de Asheville por La Justicia Social, Comité Interfe de Morganton, Carolina Migrant Network, Asociación de Dominicanos de Carolina del Norte, Hispanic Federation, The Resurrection Project, North American Institute for Mexican Advancement (NAIMA), Voces Unidas de la Montaña, the UAW, SEIU, Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), La Colmena, Mixteca, Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), Carolina Migrant Network, the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) and many, many others.
In North Carolina, undocumented immigrants are integral, long standing members of our communities, constituting 39% of the state’s immigrant population and contributing to a significant $5.9 billion in purchasing power.
“We will not rest until the Biden administration fulfills its promise. We continue to fight for immigration reform, but until this happens, we support extending a work permit to all immigrants,” said Antelmo Salazar, president of El Colectivo NC. “Standing shoulder to shoulder, advocating for all—El Centro Hispano joins the march in solidarity. Our request for work authorizations echoes the call for equitable and just opportunities for all the immigrant community.” added Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, President & CEO of El Centro H ispano.
