Menendez and Chu Introduce Bicameral POWER Act to Protect Immigrant Workers Filing Labor Violation Claims

Statement

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today introduced the Protecting Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act. The legislation will provide U Visa eligibility for immigrant workers who report unsafe or unlawful labor practices. Congressman Judy Chu (D-Calif.-27) introduced the POWER Act in the House.

"At a time when immigrants are facing an unprecedented assault from President Trump and his administration, we need to do all we can to protect immigrant workers from the threat of deportation and retaliation by their employers for reporting labor violations, including unsafe work environments and wage theft," said Sen. Menendez. "We are introducing this legislation as the administration's dangerous rhetoric and policies have made immigrants less likely to report workplace violations and have emboldened unscrupulous employers to use the threat of deportation to silence them. Furthermore, when the most vulnerable workers are able to freely report employer abuses, all workers are given more rights."

The bill will also strengthen labor agencies' investigative powers and allow a stay of removal and work authorization for workers who file a workplace claim. At a time of increasing workplace raids, discrimination, and threats against immigrants, these reforms will protect workers from employers who use illegal business practices and threaten workers with deportation if they go to the authorities.

"As President Trump declares war on immigrants, calling them animals, rapists, and criminals, many unscrupulous employers are hearing an invitation to dehumanize the immigrants who work for them, knowing that, being undocumented, the workers risk deportation if they go to the authorities," said Rep. Chu. "Through his words and actions, Trump has made it clear the government is more interested in protecting abusers and leaving victims without recourse. But despite the ignorant and xenophobic rhetoric from our President and his Republican allies, immigrants are still a vital part of our country and economy at every level, including agriculture, services, and manufacturing industries. And they deserve to be treated humanely and justly. That is what this bill is meant to address."

The bill is also sponsored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

The bill text can be viewed here.

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