Business Groups Push for Mass Amnesty After Democrats Win Midterms
Business interests call for mass amnesty and legal pathways for immigrants after Democrats secure midterm victories.
2 min read
Following Democrats’ sweeping victories in Tuesday’s midterm elections, business interests are calling on Congress to pass mass amnesty for undocumented immigrants. The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) has urged the next Congress, now controlled by Democrats, to work with the Trump administration to implement broad immigration reforms, including mass amnesty for most undocumented immigrants and halting interior immigration enforcement at worksites.
Business Groups Demand Legal Pathways for Immigrants
ABIC officials emphasized that the 2026 election results reflected widespread voter dissatisfaction with Republican policies on immigration, including mass deportations and high costs. The group’s CEO, Rebecca Shi, stated that the midterms sent a clear message that voters want common-sense solutions to lower costs and secure legal pathways for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and long-term workers.
The coalition is pushing for several key bills, including Rep. Maria Salazar’s (R-FL) DIGNIDAD Act, which would grant amnesty to most undocumented immigrants, and the American Dream and Promise Act, which would secure legal status for TPS holders and DACA recipients. Shi also called for support for the State-Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act and the SAWA, emphasizing the need for immediate action during the upcoming lame-duck session.
Industry Leaders Highlight Economic Impact of Deportations
Industry leaders, such as Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, argued that indiscriminate deportations are harming the U.S. economy by exacerbating workforce shortages and increasing costs for American consumers. They urged Congress to halt worksite immigration raids and focus on securing legal pathways for essential workers.
Teagarden noted that farmers and voters across the country have witnessed the economic and human costs of raids, which strip long-term workers of legal protections. He emphasized that voters demand secure borders but not mass deportations targeting hardworking immigrants.
Republican Losses and Gains in Immigration Policy
While Salazar’s race is heading to a recount, many of her fellow Republicans who supported the DIGNIDAD Act lost re-election. Notable losses include Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO). However, Republicans in the Senate gained two immigration hardliners with Andy Barr’s victory in Kentucky and Barry Moore’s win in Alabama.
Even as Texas elected a historic slate of Democrats, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), a strong opponent of mass immigration, won re-election by a wide margin. These results reflect a shift in voter sentiment, with many Republicans facing backlash for their hardline immigration stances.
Source: Breitbart
