Undocumented workers make up five percent of Connecticut’s workforce, with most employed in construction, hospitality, and agriculture, according to the Pew Research Center. The Department of Migration Policy estimates there are around 73,000 undocumented workers in the state.
Contrary to misconceptions, these workers significantly contribute to society by paying taxes and purchasing goods and services. In 2022, undocumented workers paid approximately $406 million in state and local taxes, as reported by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Additionally, they own small businesses that support local economies.
In Hartford, immigration advocates estimate that 200 businesses could close following mass deportations. “We lose a lot if we lose undocumented immigrants,” said Patrice Luoma, a professor at Quinnipiac University.
Workplace enforcement actions, like a recent raid at a car wash in Southington, highlight concerns about labor law compliance. Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, emphasized the importance of ensuring fair competition and protecting legal workers and honest businesses.
Immigration attorney Dana Bucin assists employers in legally hiring workers through temporary visas like H-2B for seasonal jobs or H-2A for agricultural roles. She encourages undocumented individuals to seek legal advice to explore pathways to legalization, which may include family-based visas, employer sponsorship, or other means.
Bucin also supports refugees, including Ukrainians who resettled in Connecticut after fleeing the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has begun notifying hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans that their temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. has been revoked.
— new from Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra