TAMPA, Fla. — A move is underway to expand access to work permits for long-term undocumented immigrants.

What You Need To Know

  • A roundtable was hosted on Thursday about expansion of work permits to long-term immigrants

  • U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and State Rep. Susan Valdes are writing a letter to urge President Joe Biden to expand work permits

  • If the expansion is approved, it would help hundreds of families who are in need

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and State Rep. Susan Valdes held a roundtable on Thursday to discuss the issue. Both say they support the idea.

Community leaders and immigration advocates joined in the conversation. Alejandra Juarez, a military spouse, says she’s fighting to stay in the U.S. after being brought to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 18.

She said she was deported in 2018, despite not having any criminal record, and believes more should be done for people like her.

“Keeping our families together is not a left or right issue, it’s an American issue,” she said. “On Saturday, I will no longer be here. This Saturday, my kids will wake up without a mother to guide them, to make them breakfast and to give them the strength when life gets hard.”

Supporters say extending legal work permits would help unite communities, stabilize the workforce and promote fair wages. However, opponents say granting the work permits could come at a cost to taxpayers and drive down wages for legal citizens.