The Biden Administration has announced that it will grant, on a case-by-case basis, Deferred Action or Parole in Place to victims or witnesses of labor law violations. Victims or witnesses must first obtain a Letter of Support from one of various local, state, or federal agencies charged with investigating workplace abuses. These agencies could include the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the California Labor Commissioner. Such an agency would have to verify that the applicant has an ongoing labor dispute, and also indicate their interest in continued cooperation from the victim or witness in order to investigate the dispute. If approved, the victim will receive protection from deportation, work authorization, and potentially an avenue to obtain legal status.
Such victims or witnesses are recommended to contact an employment lawyer or workers' rights organization to work together to pursue the labor dispute and then contact our office to explore possible immigration benefits.