We’ve all seen the job market change over the last decade from the “company man” to working remotely. Industries rise and fall every day now, and it’s hard to keep up, which is why many employers depend on the most skilled workers possible to feed innovation and take their business to the next level. But how do employers recruit these workers, and why? Keep reading to learn more.
Far and Wide: Finding Talent
There are millions of talented professionals in the U.S., but there are also highly skilled specialists worldwide. Thanks to innovations in transportation and communication, employers can acquire talent from far and wide. In fact, American employers have hired over 28.4 million immigrants to work at their companies, according to a 2019 statistic.
Why Is There a Push for Immigration?
As the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect business as we know it, and a new president sits in the White House, many companies are asking Congress to open up pathways for undocumented immigrants.
This move is most likely due to several factors:
- Making a public statement to advocate for immigrants
- Increasing the pool of immigrant workers in the U.S.
- A sharp increase in DACA recipients pushing their companies to take action on behalf of fellow immigrants
Post-Trump politics have seen a trend toward immigration reform sooner rather than later. More than 100 companies in the U.S. recognize an opportunity to boost the economy and provide many young immigrants with the chance to live and work in the United States.
This coalition of companies, including Facebook, General Motors, Target, Visa, Uber, and more, represents nearly every industry in the world. In a letter to Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Mitch McConnell. R-Ky., the coalition urges lawmakers to pass the DREAM Act of 2021.
The DREAM Act of 2021
The DREAM Act of 2021 is the newest iteration of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act initially introduced in 2001. Essentially, the DREAM Act of 2021 would provide a pathway to citizenship for thousands of young immigrants with a three-step process.
- Step 1: Conditional Permanent Residence
- Step 2: Lawful Permanent Residence
- Step 3: Naturalization
There are currently two versions of the DREAM Act of 2021 on the floor. Congress will vote later in the year, and until then, the push for the DREAM Act will continue. But the question remains: Why are over 100 companies pushing for Congress to pass this law?
Why Immigrants Matter
Immigrant workers are critical to the United States economy, and although their role has been more of a supporting one in the past, a recent Pew Research Center study found that immigrant workers are (finally) taking center stage.
According to the study, the number of foreign workers in highly skilled technical and scientific fields is rising. In fact, researchers expect immigrants to play the primary role in the growth of America’s workforce as soon as 2035.
The recent push for opening up opportunities for immigrants appears to point to a growing awareness among companies that their future depends on immigrants. The coalition continues to take a vocal role in pushing Congress toward approving the DREAM Act of 2021, and many DREAMERs are hopeful that their efforts will pay off.
Until Congress votes, there is no guarantee for what the future may hold for many young immigrants in the U.S. It’s critical that those who may benefit from these reforms keep their eyes on the Biden Administration over the coming months. While the President openly advocates for immigration reform, pushing positive change through Congress will be an uphill battle.
Sintsirmas & Mueller Co. L.P.A. will continue to follow the DREAM Act of 2021 as it moves through Congress.
