The AFL-CIO, along with a coalition of unions from various industries, has submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court. This action urges the court to block the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate humanitarian parole and revoke work authorizations for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The brief is supported by several unions including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Auto Workers (UAW), UNITE HERE, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), International Union of Electrical Workers/Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA), and International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC).
According to the amicus brief, “[We] believe that, if allowed to take effect, this would be by far the largest single-day revocation of work authorization in our Nation’s history—one that DHS initiated with effectively no notice to employers or the U.S. workers who would be impacted.” It highlights potential disruptions in workplaces due to this move.
Unions argue that ending humanitarian parole for over 500,000 legally residing immigrants would create chaos in workplaces. These immigrants are crucial members of various sectors like manufacturing and food processing. The unions claim that their removal could lead companies to struggle with meeting consumer demands due to staffing shortages.
Liz Shuler, president of AFL-CIO stated: “The Trump administration’s attack against Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan immigrants who are here legally on humanitarian parole is an attack on all working people.” She emphasized how these immigrants have contributed significantly while supporting their families in the U.S., adding that deporting them would harm industries relying on their skills.
This filing is part of AFL-CIO’s broader efforts against actions perceived as anti-immigrant by the Trump administration. They recently advocated for Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from detention in El Salvador after his deportation.
The complete amicus brief is accessible online.
