Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) International Representative Local 202R Business Manager Ernest Ojito joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the need for immigration reform and the efforts of unions to protect the rights of undocumented workers.
Ojito discussed Local 202R’s efforts to obtain Temporary Protected Status for a number of their members who are from El Salvador. Many of these individuals have been in the country for over 15 years and have children, with some even owning their own business. They pay fees and are continually monitored by the federal government, including required fingerprinting every other year, in order to legally remain in the country.
Ojito explained the need to provide permanent residency to undocumented workers who have followed the law, pay their taxes and are otherwise in good standing. Many of these workers are abused and exploited at work, he added.
He then talked about successful efforts by Local 202R to obtain U visas for undocumented immigrants who report workplace violations committed by their employers. U visas provide temporary immigration status, including work authorization, to immigrants who report crimes.
Ojito also touched on the impact the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make, as he expects it to fuel the Local’s membership growth. The passage of this bipartisan effort, combined with President Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Project Labor Agreements, makes it an exciting time to be in a union, he said.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.