The U.S. Labor Shortage: Challenges for Migrants Seeking Legal Employment

Migrants in the U.S. face significant challenges in obtaining work permits, exacerbating the labor shortage in industries such as manufacturing, farming, and hospitality. Lawmakers and business leaders are urging the Biden administration to expedite work authorization for asylum-seekers, but the application process is complex and time-consuming. Backlogs at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services further contribute to delays. Many migrants are forced into the underground economy, working without papers and facing low pay and high risks. Proposed legislation to address the issue faces division in Congress, and while President Biden could take some actions, political considerations and concerns about incentivizing unauthorized migration pose obstacles.