Independent Operators

National Restaurant Association supporting Biden's immigration changes

istock

January 21, 2021

On day one of his presidency, Joe Biden signed six memorandums and proclamations dealing with immigration, prompting the National Restaurant Association Wednesday to voice support for the newly sworn-in president's comprehensive immigration reform plan.

"The restaurant industry today reflects the cultural traditions and hard work of immigrants who come to America seeking a better life," Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy said in a company press release. "They add to the vast diversity that makes our smallest to largest restaurants cornerstones of their communities. The National Restaurant Association continues to support comprehensive immigration reform that expands opportunities for businesses seeking employees and immigrants pursuing the American Dream, and we applaud President Biden for making it a top priority."

Biden's proposal would give legal status and a path to citizenship to anyone in the United States before Jan. 1. The mandate would protect about 11 million people and also reduce the time that family members must wait outside the United States for green cards.

"We encourage Congress and the Administration to provide a pathway for legalization; create an effective essential worker program to meet workforce needs; secure our borders while facilitating efficient travel and tourism; and implement a reliable federal employment verification program," Kennedy said. "Our industry looks forward to working with all parties to find a unified approach to lasting immigration policies and reforms."

Biden's other orders included efforts to preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the 2012-born program that's protected hundreds of thousands of people who came to the U.S. as children from deportation.

The President also extended temporary legal status to Liberians who fled civil war and the Ebola outbreak to June 2022. Friday, the Homeland Security Department is launching a 100-day moratorium on deportations "for certain noncitizens," following Biden's reversal on Trump's executive order making anyone in the country illegally a priority for deportations.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is a business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.6 million employees.