Congress is weighing immigration enforcement legislation that leaves out work permits for long-term immigrants who have played by the rules. That's a missed opportunity. Enforcement-only policy, without a path to legal work status for people who are already contributing to our economy, won't solve the labor shortages restaurants and other essential industries are facing. It will make them worse.

Jump to Email / Call Script

One in five restaurant employees was not born in the United States. Many have been here for years, following the rules, building careers, and raising families while keeping the doors open at the restaurants their communities rely on. 

Our industry needs Congress to pair border security with real solutions: work permits for long-term immigrants who have done everything right and are filling critical roles in our kitchens, dining rooms, and communities.

Restaurants are part of a $3.5 trillion food economy, and Congress already has bipartisan models to build from. The Dignity Act and the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act both pair border security with a legal path to work for long-term residents. We're asking that similar thinking be extended to include people working in restaurants.

This isn't about politics. It's about giving people who have already been contributing to their communities for years a fair, legal way to keep doing so.

Here's how you can help, in under two minutes:

• Call your member of Congress using the script below, or
• Send an email (template included), if that's easier for your schedule


Every call and every email adds up. Your voice as a business owner carries real weight with your representatives, especially when you can speak to how this issue affects people you know personally.

Thank you for taking a few minutes today to make sure these voices are heard.

 


Phone Script 

Hello, my name is <NAME>, and I own or manage <RESTAURANT>, a restaurant located in <LOCATION>. We employ <NUMBER> people.

I'm calling because I want Congress to know that immigration enforcement legislation needs to include work permits for long-term immigrants who have played by the rules.

One in five restaurant employees was not born in the United States. Many have been here for years, following the rules, building careers, and raising families while keeping the doors open at the restaurants our communities rely on.

Enforcement-only policy won't solve the labor shortages restaurants are facing. It will make them worse. Congress needs to pair border security with a legal path to work for long-term immigrants who have done everything right. There are already bipartisan models for this, like the Dignity Act, and restaurants are part of a $3.5 trillion food economy that depends on getting this right.

My ask is that you support legislation that includes work permits for long-term immigrants alongside any enforcement measures. Thank you for your consideration.