Washington, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2024) – Brent Booker, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s extension of its deferred action policy for workers facing employer abuse:

LIUNA applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Homeland Security for its continued commitment to empowering and protecting workers, regardless of their immigration status.

The DHS’ year-old policy of deferring immigration enforcement actions has directly protected more than 1,000 workers and indirectly discouraged retaliatory actions by employers against all workers who seek to organize a union to improve their lives. By extending deferred action for an additional 2 years, more workers will be safe at work and free to organize.

No worker should fear retaliation for organizing and speaking out against abuse, including wage theft or unsafe working conditions, because of their immigration status.

 

The policy extension includes even-handed adjustments, requiring that workers who are victims of alleged abuse receive updated statements from an enforcement agency certifying the ongoing need for deferred action so that labor and workplace law violations can be investigated and prosecuted.

 

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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 the United States and Canada.