NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have led a coalition of 40 Cities for Action (C4A) mayors and county executives in calling for more than two million work authorisations for both recent arrivals and long-standing, undocumented Caribbean and other immigrants in the absence of what they describe as “long-awaited” comprehensive reform by the United States Congress.

The bipartisan letter to the Biden Administration came as the US Senate is considering comprehensive immigration reform.

“New York City is living proof that ‘The American Dream Works’ — our city wouldn’t be the greatest city in the world without generations of immigrants who have rolled up their sleeves and worked to shape this city,” Adams told Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). “But we know that the only way to make the American Dream work is if we let people work, because work is the foundation of that dream.

“In the absence of any long-overdue comprehensive reform by Congress, expanded work authorisation for immigrants is a win-win-win: it allows immigrants to do what they came to this country to do and provide for their families, it prevents exploitation of workers, and it relieves some of the financial and logistical burden that shelter systems across the country have been under,” said Adams.

Mayor Johnson said Chicago and Illinois are home to 320,000 undocumented Mexicans and Guatemalans, and 40,000 undocumented Haitians, Jamaicans, and Nigerians.

“And despite their lack of work authorisation they greatly contribute to our economies and neighbourhoods,” he said. “We continue to urge the federal government to use every tool at its disposal to support undocumented residents and new arrivals by giving people the ability to work, support their families, and contribute to our communities.”

Adams said extending work authorisation to both newly arrived and long-standing Caribbean and other immigrants would be an economic benefit to the entire nation.

He said authorised work leads to higher wages and reduced exploitation, “enhancing workplace safety and dignity”.

By extending work authorisations, Adams said the Biden-Harris Administration can take a “significant step towards supporting these valuable community members who contribute extensively to the US workforce and economy”.

The New York mayor said this initiative is supported by more than 80 members of Congress; the American Business Immigration Coalition’s more than 300 employers, chief executive officers and associations; as well as labour organisations like UNITE HERE, the Teamsters, and United Auto Workers.

Since the asylum seeker humanitarian crisis began, Adams said New York City has taken “fast and urgent action — opening more than 200 emergency shelters to provide a roof over the heads of migrants”.

He said the city has also erected navigation centres to connect asylum seekers with critical resources; enrolled tens of thousands of children in public schools through Project Open Arms; and launched the Asylum Application Help Center, which has already helped submit more than 50,000 applications for asylum, work authorisation, and temporary protected status.

Last August, Adams hosted The American Dream Works — a rally with hundreds of asylum seekers, union members, business leaders and elected officials calling for expanded work authorisation for asylum seekers.

Last year the city released The Road Forward: A Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis, detailing how the city will continue to manage the influx of asylum seekers and advocate support from federal and state partners.

“It is imperative to expand the availability of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to our long-term immigrant residents as they have always been the backbone of the American workforce,” said Bellevue, Pennsylvania Mayor Val Pennington. “We rely on these workers to provide the labour that keeps our country moving, as much as they rely on that work to provide for themselves and their families.”

North Miami, Florida Mayor Alix Desulme said his city is enriched by the diversity of cultures brought by Caribbean immigrants, including Haitians and Cubans.

“I strongly advocate for expanding Employment Authorization Documents,” he said. “In our beloved city we recognise the invaluable contributions of our immigrant community.

“Granting EADs to our long-term immigrant residents is not just an act of justice; it is a crucial step toward harnessing the full potential of our community,” he added. “This policy change would empower countless individuals with the right to work legally, thereby fostering economic growth, enhancing public safety, and promoting the inclusive, vibrant spirit that defines north Miami.”

Providence, Rhode Island Mayor Brett P Smiley said Providence’s “diverse immigrant population contributes to the vibrancy of our neighbourhoods, our unique local businesses, and our world-class restaurants.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in encouraging the Department of Homeland Security to streamline the process for work authorisation for Providence’s long-term and recent arrival immigrant residents,” he said. “There is a clear consensus amongst leaders across the country that our immigrants add immeasurable value to our communities, and it is important that we prioritise their safety and well-being by extending their work permits.

“Our communities are strengthened by the innovation, hard work, and creativity of immigrants,” said Somerville, Massachusetts Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “Somerville is proud to be home to generations of immigrants as well as newcomers who have built their lives here, raised families, started businesses, and pushed our city forward. We will only grow stronger with the opportunities that work authorisations grant. Our neighbours are here to work — and we need them more than ever.”

Tukwila, Washington Mayor Thomas McLeod said work authorisation for long-term immigrants and recent arrivals to the United States is “an essential component to addressing and mitigating the impacts of asylum seekers in our communities.

“Tukwila is a small city just south of Seattle that has become the epicentre in the Pacific Northwest for immigrants seeking a better life in America,” he said. “Many of the individuals want to work to support their families but can’t, due to a variety of federal restrictions.

“The inability to get a job greatly impacts the ability of these migrants to secure housing,” McLeod added. “As a result, families are forced to rely on assistance from local agencies — which are already strained due to this crisis — or forced to sleep outside. I strongly encourage the federal government to act to remove these restrictions quickly. It’s critical we work together to provide migrants and our communities with the tools necessary for all of us to succeed.”

As the mayor of what is regarded as the largest conservative city in America and from a border state, Mesa, Arizona Mayor John Giles urged President Biden to issue work permits to long-term immigrants “so we can fully unlock their potential and contributions to our community and economy”.

Rebecca Shi, executive director, American Business Immigration Coalition, said “employers welcome the president’s actions to provide work permits for new migrants who are now working and contributing.

“We urge the president to also extend the dignity of a legal work permit for people picking our crops, emptying bedpans, and cleaning hotel rooms for more than 10 years,” she added.