FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2022
Contact: Daniela Perez, dperez@domesticworkers.org
NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new guidance to protect immigrant workers fearing immigration retaliation in pending labor investigations. Today’s announcement is a significant development for workers and immigrants in the country, especially immigrant domestic workers whose work makes all of the other work possible.
“The National Domestic Workers Alliance applauds the DHS decision to create a streamlined process that empowers immigrant workers to enforce their core workplace rights without fear,” said Ai-jen Poo, President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “This new guidance ensures that workers, including domestic workers, have the inherent right to be treated with dignity, respect, and protection, regardless of their immigration status.”
More than a third of domestic workers were born outside of the United States; the new DHS guidance offers workers, especially domestic workers, the opportunity to bravely enforce their civil and labor rights, without fear of retaliation and deportation. This represents historic progress toward an economy where all workers in America have the dignity they deserve. NDWA will continue to ensure that domestic workers are aware of their rights and advocate for their right to a respectful and dignified workplace.
For more information on this guidance, read the DHS announcement here.
