Immigration directives announced by President Obama in November 2014 won’t just empower thousands of Central Oregon families, the landmark policies are projected to be a catalyst for economic growth throughout Oregon and the country.
Among the directives are an expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), policy
first enacted in 2012, and an addition of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).
Applications will begin processing in summer 2016. Applications and Criteria to qualify can be viewed at www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction.
Although these directives do not grant citizenship or benefits permanent residents and citizens enjoy, they will allow for work permitting.
According to a June 2015 study published by the Center for American Progress (CAP), 52 percent of undocumented persons in Oregon, an estimated 60,000 individuals, will qualify for work permitting. The study suggests that in 10 years, with an increase of economic contributors of this magnitude, the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could grow up to $2.9 billion and 360 new jobs could be created each year.
Locally, the Central Oregon Latino Community Association (LCA) has compiled census data which shows in 2012, Deschutes County was home to 12,389 Latinos (7.6 percent of the whole), and Jefferson County home to 4,286 Latinos (19.3 percent of the whole). How many of these individuals might comprise the 60,000 projected to qualify for work permits throughout Oregon is difficult to estimate.
Work permitting is crucial to local economies, according to CAP, in the way of exploitation prevention, wage regulation, spending on goods and services and taxation.
Some may ask how can granting work permits to undocumented individuals boost the economy? The White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) explains directives would, “expand the country’s tax base by billions of dollars over the next 10 years.” And, “would raise additional revenue above and beyond the impact [this]would have on measured GDP, since undocumented workers are already contributing to GDP.”
Oscar Gonzalez, program manager at the LCA explains, currently, undocumented workers are contributing to payroll taxes (unless they are paid under the table) via false social security numbers which are accepted unknowingly by many employers. Though taxes are being paid, Brad Portfield, director of LCA, says, “undocumented workers remain ineligible to receive benefits other workers do, such as unemployment, food stamps, child tax credits, a driver’s license and even social security.”
Work permitting will also raise wages slightly for many undocumented workers as wages have not been subject to regulation when working without a work permit. CAP says this increase in income would not only create a stronger tax base but additional spending on goods and services and a “ripple effect though out the state economy.”
Finally, there remains an empowering component which is difficult to measure with statistics. Allowing work permitting (which indirectly grants access to driver’s license) creating a safe space for Latinos and their families who have already been long time contributors to Oregon communities, facilitates an opportunity for personal growth in employment and reprieve from the stress of family separation, not previously reachable.
Options available for undocumented folks have been limited. Having a work permit allows for choices in employment and the ability to enlist skill sets that might have previously been unused or on hold. Gonzalez says, “People are working in the shadows, mobility is limited. Once folks are permitted, from the employers perspective, they will have more choices when selecting skilled workers and less possibility of penalties for having hired unauthorized workers. It is a win for everyone involved.”
With workers more confident in the future of their jobs, productivity and profitability will follow.
For families who have lived in constant fear of separation, these directives provide temporary protection from deportation, thus preventing resulting trauma for children and spouses and the opportunity for family unity.
LCA is the only organization without religious affiliation qualified to assist in DACA/DAPA application submissions for much of Oregon east of the Cascades. Porterfield explains the LCA’s role is to “translate birth certificates and other required documents, aid in renewal for DACA, train volunteers with these tasks and facilitate programming like workforce education and training in English, computers and career coaching/navigation.”
LCA is preparing to be accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals this summer, when these directives are estimated to begin implementation in Oregon. LCA Client Services Coordinator Milagros Aparicio recently attended training in Texas to prepare for the expected onslaught of applications.
Some have raised concern over how work permitting might affect employment for native born community members. The CEA addresses this, “Theory suggests that these policy changes would not have an effect on the long-run employment (or unemployment) rate… as the additional demand associated with the expanded economy would offset the additional supply of workers… academic literature suggests that changes in immigration policy have no effect on the likelihood of employment for native workers.”
Aparicio says, “Comments on newspaper digital articles, news feed and in other media outlets have often shown a negative light on this population of our community.” She and the LCA are hopeful that negative public perception around undocumented community members can begin to change by granting work permits.
For more information about the Latino work force population in Central Oregon, contact The Latino Community Association at 541-382-4366, www.latinocommunityassociation.org or 1130 NW Harriman St. to explore articles referenced in this story see.
