In September, we celebrate Labor Day, which reminds us of the struggles labor and laborers have undergone throughout the history of the United States.

Labor Day was established to recognize the contributions and struggles of the labor movement to improve working conditions, wages, benefits, and all that supports their families who make America great. Unfortunately, history does repeat itself sometimes, as we look at the situation today of authorized and unauthorized immigrants who work in the various sectors of our economy, and how the threat of mass deportation is undermining their contributions to our economy.

Work is work, by whoever performs it, and is a contribution to our economy and well-being. The question is to whom can we impute greater illegality: employers or the workers?

The employers are obligated to complete a Form I-9 after a simple review of a Social Security card or employment authorization, which they need not verify. The worker presents the documents, real or forged, to a willing employer who needs their labor. However, when employment authorization is withdrawn by the government, most terminate employment.

Recently, a coalition has been formed called “The Mass Deportation Coalition.” This coalition is an alliance of anti-immigration groups, including The Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR), The Heritage Foundation, and former federal employees who are pressuring the Trump administration to fulfill its campaign promises on immigration enforcement, especially mass deportations of both the undocumented and those who come on temporary visas that have since been withdrawn.

The coalition proposes many reasons for their insistence on deporting as many migrants as possible, including questionable claims that these migrants take jobs from Americans or lower wages for others. These claims have not been independently verified. There seems to be no limit to their demands to empty America of new immigrant populations.

Their agenda includes workplace enforcement, mandatory verification systems, financial penalties, and expansion of detention so that more people can be deported quickly and efficiently.

As a counterbalance, it would be wonderful if a coalition were formed to defend immigrant workers and their families, be they authorized or unauthorized, as the work they do certainly is valuable and necessary. This alternative coalition could certainly include leaders in labor, religion, civil rights, and business, especially in those sectors that are most dependent on immigrant labor, such as health care, agriculture, hospitality, and many others. It is important that leaders speak with one voice in defense of the immigrant workers among us.

It is not easy to imagine a workforce of immigrant workers that presents as few difficulties and as many benefits for the nation. Unfortunately, our labor market is very diverse by region and state and has little oversight by the federal government. In fact, the newly formed governors’ coalition on migration has suggested that states should have a greater say in who can migrate to the states for labor purposes. Governors believe they know more about their labor needs than the federal government.

They also would certainly welcome this coalition. A great example is the plan of Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, which was devised to meet the labor needs of his state.
Another example of an area that needs this new coalition’s attention is the new H2A Temporary Worker Program for agriculture, which has been codified in legislation before Congress. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation is not an improvement to this much-needed program. It reduces wages and makes housing, health care, and even basic food allocations for temporary workers much less than they are presently.

It is a move backward and not forward in respecting worker rights.

Not every member of a coalition may agree with other members on specific issues; however, in general, they all have a concern for the immigrant workers, their families, and the effect of the mass deportation on the labor force.

A coalition could bring some balance to the present efforts of the Trump administration to use massive deportations as a solution to our immigration challenge.

A pause in the mass deportation of workers is necessary, with, perhaps, exceptions for real violent felons. A balanced coalition whose interests are not self-serving but rather formed for the good of immigrant laborers and their families could make a difference in the current period of social disruption.