Immigration law values work but not workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us which workers are truly essential for society to survive. But some of these workers, although they are good enough to provide essential services, are apparently not good enough to stay here in Canada. This is manifestly unjust. If we as a nation ask workers to help keep us afloat during a national crisis, then we as a nation must allow them to settle permanently in Canada. That is justice and fairness.

Caregivers, cleaners, agricultural workers, truck drivers, grocery store employees and food service workers, among so many others, have helped Canada survive this crisis. These workers are heroes and that is not changed by the fact that many of them are racialized migrant and undocumented workers.

Our federal government knows these workers are essential to meeting the challenges posed by COVID19. That is why, on May 12, they shortened processing times for work permits during the COVID-19 crisis.

Our immigration laws clearly value this work, but unfortunately do not value the people who do it. While pathways to permanent residency exist for some migrant workers in these roles, most who occupy these essential positions do not have a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada. Essentially, the government has instituted policies by which it deems these individuals good enough to do essential work in

Canada, but inexplicably, not good enough to stay.

Undocumented workers are especially disadvantaged. Although many undocumented workers continue to fill essential roles in industries with significant labour shortages, they are locked out from obtaining the immigration status they need so they can do this work legally. Existing pathways for gaining or regaining status are limited, cumbersome and largely inaccessible.

The Amnesty for Undocumented Workers campaign advocates for a compassionate, but pragmatic, solution to these issues. The campaign asks the federal government to do two things:

1. Create a new permanent residency program for all migrant workers, including undocumented workers, who work in jobs where there are labour shortages;

2. Grant 12-month unrestricted work permits to migrant workers, including undocumented workers, while they are in the process of applying for permanent residence.

By enacting these changes, we ensure that communities also benefit by ensuring that these workers are able to continue providing essential services.

More importantly, we ensure that these workers are able to live without fear of arrest, detention or removal.

In the short term, these changes also assist in meeting our public health goals. Undocumented workers are hesitant to access health-care services or report unsafe employment practices for fear of government retribution. Providing undocumented workers with secure immigrations status allows them to participate in health practices, such as seeking medical care, without fear of reprisal.

Every day at 7 p.m. we show our appreciation for essential workers keeping us safe through this crisis. I ask you one evening to take a break from banging on pots and pans. Instead, visit the Amnesty for Undocumented Workers webpage and send a message to the federal government. Tell them that if migrant and undocumented workers are good enough to provide essential services, then they are good enough to stay.