In a bold move aimed at the heart of immigration policy, Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson is stepping up the pressure on President Biden to grant more work permits to long-term undocumented immigrants. Hosting a roundtable on Thursday at the Chicago Urban League, Johnson, alongside business leaders, made the call on the anniversary of his election victory, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The mayor's plea centers on economic revival, pinning hope on work permits as a potential booster for a state grappling with population decline and labor shortages. "Leading in this moment is what the people of Chicago elected me to do a year ago, and I'm proud that we are doing that today," Johnson told participants. Advocates argue that the approximately 480,000 undocumented residents in Illinois, making up 3% of the state's population, could infuse much-needed vitality into the local economy.
According to a letter signed by mayors from the Cities For Action coalition, this push for reform echoes a longstanding issue that Congress has not substantially addressed in decades. Johnson invoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stating, "If our ancestors would have taken this model — that somehow if you demand something that doesn't happen that day, you should stop — we would not have the company that we have today." This sentiment was shared during the roundtable discussion, which FOX 32 Chicago also covered.
Tugging at the reins of progress, Johnson also reinforced Chicago's legacy as a city open to all. "I want to make this emphatically clear: Chicago will never turn its back on people who wish to call the city of Chicago their home. We will always be a welcoming city," he affirmed. Bringing to light the contributions of Illinois workers, who already add over a billion dollars in taxes. It's a number that could rise with the regularization of undocumented laborers.
The federal government's extended eligibility of work permits to 11,000 migrants last fall was but a drop in the bucket, with more than 38,000 migrants having arrived in Chicago since 2022, per city-data. Loop Capital's Chairman Jim Reynolds underscored the significance, "The secret weapon here in Illinois is more workers, more documented workers with work permits, to add to the economic energy of this state. It's a very big deal, and a very big advantage if we get it right," according to information from the Chicago Sun-Times.
The roundtable brought to light personal testimonies as well. Teresa Labastida, a leader helping immigrants through Palenque LSNA, who has lived undocumented since 1999 shared her story. "My husband and I have been working in the shadows for many, many years," she said during the event. "Seeing many families get their work permits very quickly made me think, 'What about us? Have they already forgotten about us?' … We also deserve a work permit," as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
While eyes are on Congress and the president for comprehensive immigrant reform, Johnson hinted at opportunities at the state legislative level. However, the mayor has yet to provide specifics on potential legislative strategies. His administration's continued advocacy underscores a proactive approach to grappling with the complexities of migration and economic development.
