Business groups wasted little time after Tuesday’s midterm elections, calling on the incoming Democrat-controlled Congress and the Trump administration to advance a package of immigration bills that would grant legal status to millions of people living in the country illegally and curb workplace immigration enforcement.
The American Business Immigration Coalition issued statements the day after the election urging lawmakers to act during the lame-duck session on several measures, including Rep. Maria Salazar’s (R-FL) DIGNIDAD Act, a broad legalization bill, and a discharge petition to force a vote on the American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide legal status to recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“The 2026 election results sent a clear message: millions of Hispanic, independent, and rural voters joined Americans across the country in punishing Republicans over mass deportations and high costs, and that led to the House of Representatives flipping to Democrats, and losses for Republicans in Texas, North Carolina and Georgia,” said ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi.
Shi called for passage of a slate of bills during the lame-duck session.
Immediately during the upcoming lame-duck session, we urge Congress and the White House to support key protections, including the Dream and Promise Discharge Petition, the Dignity Act, the State-Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act, and the SAWA.
The group also wants Congress to pressure the administration to halt worksite immigration enforcement, arguing that labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture and construction are driving up consumer prices.
Kansas Livestock Association CEO Matt Teagarden echoed that call, pointing to the economic impact of enforcement actions on longtime workers.
From Kansas, South Texas, and Florida to Pennsylvania and America’s heartland, farmers and voters have witnessed the economic and human costs of indiscriminate raids that strip longtime workers of legal protections. America cannot solve severe workforce shortages and the resulting high prices by deporting long-term, hard-working immigrants. Voters have spoken loud and clear: they demand secure borders and legal pathways for essential workers.
The push comes amid a mixed set of midterm results for Republicans who had previously backed amnesty measures. Salazar’s own race remains headed to a recount. Several other Republicans who co-sponsored the DIGNIDAD Act lost their seats, including Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who was defeated by Democrat Cait Conley, along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), and Zach Nunn (R-IA).
At the same time, Senate Republicans gained two members generally associated with stricter immigration enforcement positions, with Andy Barr winning in Kentucky and Barry Moore winning in Alabama. In Texas, where Democrats won a number of races in what was described as a historic shift for the state, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), who has opposed mass immigration measures, won re-election by a wide margin.
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