Alejandro Mayorkas Makes an announcement for Migrants

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In the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has announced a rule change that will extend work permits for migrants, a move that is drawing criticism from Republicans and some labor groups. The rule, which will go into effect on January 13, 2025, allows migrants, many of whom were released into the U.S. under the Biden administration, to keep their work permits for up to 540 days when renewing, a significant increase from the previous 180-day limit.

Mayorkas explained that the change aims to streamline processes for businesses, saying it would reduce bureaucratic hurdles, helping companies retain workers and keep employment authorization from lapsing for those who have timely filed renewal applications. USCIS Director Ur Jaddou echoed this sentiment, stating the rule would help employers maintain their workforce and avoid interruptions in worker documentation.

However, the rule has faced sharp criticism from Republicans, including Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA). McClintock argued that this decision exacerbates inflation’s impact on wages and job opportunities for U.S. workers. He highlighted that the U.S. workforce has seen a decline in real wages, while foreign workers have seen job growth. Recent statistics back this up, with over one million foreign-born workers securing American jobs in the past year, while nearly 800,000 native-born Americans have dropped out of the workforce.

A 2023 Pew Research Center report showed that as of 2022, more than 30 million legal and illegal immigrants were holding American jobs, marking a 20% increase over the past 15 years. In contrast, the number of native-born Americans added to the workforce over the same period grew by less than 10%. Critics argue that policies like the extension of work permits contribute to this disparity and undermine the economic opportunities for U.S. citizens.