Lawmakers Applaud USCIS Decision to Restore 500 Positions Following Push from MO/KS Delegation

Press Release

Today, United States Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), and Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), applauded the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) announcement that it would restore 500 positions that had been eliminated due to financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement comes after a year-long bipartisan effort from lawmakers to protect jobs and ensure continuity of operations at USCIS facilities in the Greater Kansas City Metro Area.

"For over a year now, I've been working with my colleagues in both parties, across both sides of the state line, to save USCIS jobs that support necessary agency functions and the livelihoods of so many families in our region," said Representative Davids. "This announcement is welcome news that will boost employment in the KC Metro and help our economy as a whole."

"When we cross party lines and work together to get things done for our constituents, it's remarkable what we're able to accomplish," said Congressman Cleaver. "After a year-long effort to support the workforce of USCIS and prevent catastrophic layoffs because of the coronavirus, I'm thrilled to see the agency will bring back hundreds of federal contractors, returning closer to pre-pandemic levels of employment. This will not only be a boon to workers in Kansas City, but will also help to address the agency's backlog in immigration applications. That's what I like to call a "win-win'"

"I am deeply proud that our bipartisan effort to reverse these furloughs was successful," said Congressman Graves. "Getting these federal contractors back to work at USCIS is a huge win for these workers, their families, and all of Kansas City. This is a great example of how leaders from both sides of the aisle can work together to help our communities succeed."

"This announcement is great news for workers headed back to the job and for continuity of operations at USCIS," said Sen. Blunt. "Restoring all of the positions that have been eliminated at the National Benefit Center has been and will continue to be a bipartisan priority."

"Restoring these critical jobs at the National Benefits Center in the Kansas City region will help support the local economy and the nation, as these employees work to process immigration applications," said Sen. Moran. "I appreciate the opportunity to work with my colleagues representing the Kansas City area to help bring jobs back to our the region."