Rep. Vasquez Introduces Bill to Strengthen America’s Labor Force and Support Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On September 2, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) pushed to strengthen America's labor force and support workers by introducing the Strengthening Our Workforce Act. The bill provides non-citizens working in critical sectors - including agriculture, health care, and emergency workers - a path to lawful permanent status, bringing much-needed stability for workers who make up the backbone of the American economy.

"People who work hard, follow the rules, and play a vital role in our economy should never be forced to live in the shadows or in fear of mass deportation," said Vasquez. "These individuals do right by us - contributing to the fabric of our communities and putting in long hours to keep our families fed, loved ones cared for, and economy running. It's time we do right by them by offering the dignified pathway to legal status that they deserve and American businesses need. This is about humanity, fairness, and the long-term strength of our economy."

The Strengthening Our Workforce Actprovides a two-year conditional status for non-citizens who meet strict criteria and work in critical industries such as health care, energy, agriculture, emergency response, education, hospitality, construction, home health care, and childcare.

To receive conditional lawful permanent residency status, workers must:

• Work in a critical industry and covered profession.
• Have been physically present in the United States as of January 1, 2024.
• Remain physically present in the United States for the duration of conditional status.
• Have been employed in a covered profession for at least 100 days before applying.
• Maintain 100 days of annual employment in a covered profession for 2 consecutive years.
• Pay a fine and be in good legal standing.

Workers who meet these strict criteria and complete two-year conditional status then qualify for lawful permanent residency.

Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) are bill co-sponsors.

"Right now, Trump is implementing an out of control anti-immigrant crackdown. Families are scared of being torn apart. People who have spent decades living and working in this country are afraid to drop their kids off at school, show up to their jobs, and go about their lives. It's unacceptable," said Rep. Vargas. "As the proud son of Mexican immigrants, I know that immigrants make our country stronger. It's past time to fix our broken immigration system and create better pathways to citizenship. I'm proud to help introduce this legislation to bring us closer to an immigration system that centers humanity, dignity, and justice."

"Immigrant workers are a key part of New Mexico's economy, and they deserve recognition for their essential role in keeping our state and country running. For years, progress on immigration reform has been delayed, leaving workers without real solutions. Congressman Vasquez's Strengthening Our Workforce Act offers critical workers a fair pathway to permanent residency. At Somos Un Pueblo Unido, we will continue championing common-sense policies that welcome and integrate immigrants, not the fear-driven tactics designed to tear our communities apart", said Marcela Díaz, Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido.

"The Strengthening Our Workforce Actadds to the growing bipartisan Congressional momentum to end the mass deportation efforts that are causing labor shortages and loss of consumer spending by the immigrant community, both of which are pushing revenue down for small businesses," said Frank Knapp Jr, managing director of the Secure Growth Initiative, a national small business coalition representing over 100,000 small business voices. "We are proud to support Congressman Vasquez's legislation and other bills that address the concerns of our coalition."

"It's encouraging to see lawmakers offering a solution to the significant challenges the current immigration enforcement policies are creating for our nation's small businesses," said David Chase, Vice President of the Small Business Majority, which provides leadership for the national small business coalition Secure Growth Initiative. "Immigrants are a vital and irreplaceable component of America's small business ecosystem, and our nation's small firms will have far more opportunities to succeed when undocumented people are able to earn permanent legal status as allowed by the Strengthening Our Workforce Act."

"It's time for Congress to protect our economy and small businesses as the Strengthening Our Workforce Actwould do," said Matt Foster, Vice President of the SC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Secure Growth Initiative national small business coalition. "Undocumented immigrants provide essential labor, which small businesses across the country will not be able to replace. Without these individuals, our small businesses would suffer."

Rep. Vasquez is leading the charge for immigration and economic reforms that are critical for Southern New Mexico and the country. This legislation builds on the New Dem Immigration & Border Security Frameworkhe is leading in Congress which offers a balanced, humane, and comprehensive approach to border security and immigration policy to keep communities safe while upholding the dignity of all people. He also reintroduced his No More Narcos Act and the Stop COYOTES Act, a pair of bipartisan bills to combat cartels and smuggling at the southern border, and his Economic Opportunity for Border Communities Actto develop a national strategy for strengthening economies along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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