About twenty organizations in the restoration and food sector in the United States has presented a campaign to claim the Congress Labor Permits for immigrants to the current work scarcity and stressed that they are “vital”.
The campaign, called ‘Seat at the Table’, is the result of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), the James Beard Foundation, and restaurant, bars and other hospitality businesses in the country, which allude to the negative consequences of the immigration policy of the Donald Trump government.
The initiative claims that almost a thousand chefs and owners of restaurants, hotels or vinaterías have signed an open letter that asks Congress to approve legislation that grants permits to undocumented workers who “comply with the law” and “pay taxes.”
According to a statement, the campaign defends that permits would allow to alleviate the work shortage that affects restaurants, service and availability of food; Stabilize food prices, help business owners and strengthen local economies.
The executive director of the ABIC, Rebecca Shi, said that the voters of both political parties ask for action, including a large majority in the hinge states, and called to “protect our food systems, businesses and the workers who drive them.”
“President Trump said very clearly that he wants a safe border but also a strong economy,” said the executive maximum of the Texas Restaurants Association, Emily Knight, who said that 40 % of restaurants say they have lack of employees, and are lowering their sales and those of retail trade.
«I am 45 minutes from the border and it is crazy how business is going down in Phoenix and Tucson. We are worried about how it will come next year, ”said the chef and owner of Amelia’s Kitchen, in Tucson (Arizona), who said he had problems hiring employees and reflected the concern of customers for the economy.
Although the Trump government states that it is only for the undocumented, which are 4% of the US workforce, its measures point to legal immigrants such as students with visas, refugees, and beneficiaries of temporary work permits (such as TPS) and other migratory protections.
