A key to President Trump’s 2016 campaign was the promise that the program on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which delays deportation for Dreamers who enter the country as children, would be eliminated. Many hoped that this focus would lead to the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, due to partisan politics and the lack of compromise, the advancement of immigration legislation is not likely to take place before the midterm elections.
In early January, a federal court ruled that, despite President Trump’s pre-set deadline, DACA protections would not expire on March 5, 2018. Shortly thereafter, and despite several meetings between the White House and congressional leadership, a compromise on the DACA program could not be reached. With a DACA deal crucial to an agreement on continued government funding, the government entered its first shutdown since 2013. While President Trump has recently called for a renewed focus on immigration, many fear the same roadblocks will again prevent passage of a comprehensive package.
NFA supports meaningful steps to reform America’s immigration system while protecting the small-business community. We support a reliable employment verification system to replace the current patchwork of state laws and provide a consistent, efficient tool for today’s employers. Further, NFA believes employers should not be held liable or face penalties if they (in good faith) use and rely on erroneous information received through a national verification system.
NFA also believes that a viable seasonal and year-round visa program is needed to meet the needs of the restaurant community. The current shortage of entry-level workers is limiting the growth of today’s small-business owners and hurting today’s economy. Restaurants embody the American dream like no other industry. With a viable visa program, immigrants will gain valuable job experience and immediate access to opportunities, and restaurant owners can fill currently vacated positions at every level.
NFA supports the “Legal Workforce Act” and other legislation which includes a reliable employment verification system while protecting America’s job creators who rely on that system in good faith. We support efforts to fill the much-needed, entry-level positions crucial in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry. We ask that Congress put aside party politics and pass comprehensive immigration reform.
THE ASK:
House and Senate: Please make sure that any immigration bill includes protections for business owners who receive and rely on erroneous information provided by the U.S. government in regard to the status of potential employees.
TALKING POINTS
- A federal employment verification system is needed to replace the overwhelming and often conflicting state and local requirements placed on today’s business owners.
- Employers acting in good faith and using the information received from a federal employment verification system should be shielded from liability for relying on any erroneous information received.
- A viable visa program for both seasonal and year-long workers will lessen the critical labor shortage for today’s entry-level positions – particularly in the restaurant industry.
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