Immigration

The U.S. immigration system is broken—and U.S.-born workers as well as aspiring citizens are paying a heavy price. America needs to create an immigration process that works for working people—not a system that benefits corporate employers at the expense of everyone else.

Current U.S. immigration policy is a blueprint for employer manipulation and abuse, and both new American immigrants and American-born workers are suffering the consequences.

We say, “¡Basta Ya!” or “Enough Already!” That’s why the AFL-CIO supports a comprehensive, worker-centered approach as part of a common-sense immigration process.

Important Immigration Updates

This notice extends TPS designations (and work permits) for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras and Nepal through October 4, 2021

USCIS update clarifying that USCIS will once again begin processing new DACA applications and issuing 2-year deferred action grants


In response to the Ramos v. Nielsen decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for four countries: 

“NYC Labor stands in solidarity with TPS recipients, many of whom have been in the U.S. with legal immigration status for an average of fifteen years. TPS recipients are contributing members of our communities; critical members of our frontline workforce; parents of U.S. citizens; union members; business and property owners. This decision will actively harm working families, communities, and our economy at a time when it is already experiencing heightened uncertainty. We call on Congress to immediately move forward to pass legislation providing a path to citizenship for both TPS holders and DACA recipients.”


The NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is proud of our continued partnership with CUNY SLU and CUNY Citizenship NOW! to offer free immigration legal services for union members and their families. The NYC Central Labor Council is currently hosting virtual immigration consultations. 

Please contact Xiomara Loarte at xloarte@nycclc.org or 917-225-2712 to make an appointment for FREE HELP with your immigration concerns as well as application assistance with:

  • Naturalization and Citizenship
  • TPS/DACA/Advance Parole
  • Replacing and Renewing Immigration Documents

More about this issue:

May 4

The Workers Unite Film Festival is a celebration of Global Labor Solidarity.

Mar 2, 2018 | News Story

On February 24, working people in New York City and across the country

Dec 22, 2017 | News Story

On Monday, the Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. Memorial Association, the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, and Members of Congress Joe Crowley & Grace Meng held “We Are All Americans,” an open forum meant to create solidarity across the labor and immigrant communities.

Dec 29, 2017 | News Story

As 2017 comes to a close, it is important to look back on all that labor has accomplished this year.

Dec 15, 2017 | News Story

In a political climate where there is deliberate undermining of and hostility against poor and working class people - particularly labor and immigrant communities, it is more important than ever that union workers from all backgrounds come together to find common ground and build bridges.

Dec 8, 2017 | News Story

On Thursday, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW Local 2325, took to the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall with allies in the Labor Movement, community groups, and immigration advocates to speak out against the practice of ICE agents arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants as they ar

Dec 18

An open forum to create solidarity across the labor and immigrant communities

Sponsored by:

The Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. Memorial Association
The Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry
In conjunction with the office of Congressman Joseph Crowley

Dec 1, 2017 | News Story

This week,  hundreds of Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Legal Services attorneys walked out of Brooklyn Criminal Court to protest Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention of Legal Aid client Genaro Rojas-Hernandez.