We, the undersigned, affirm our moral imperative to eradicate modern-day slavery in the United States. Undocumented workers are disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation, including forced labor and wage theft, due to fear of deportation and lack of legal protections, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02449-5 This not only harms individuals but undermines fair labormarkets for all Americans. Unfortunately in recent years we have only observed this problem explode with the Biden administration encouraging modern slavery, https://cis.org/Oped/Bidens-border-policies-facilitate-shocking-modern-slavery To eliminate incentives for such abuse, we demand a comprehensive reform package that closes loopholes, enforces laws equitably, and promotes legal pathways.
Key Reforms Needed:
Secure Borders and Track Entries: Implement advanced technology and resources to monitor borders effectively, ensuring we know who enters the U.S. and can protect legal workers from unfair competition.

Expand Legal Work Visas: Increase visas for industries facing labor shortages (e.g., agriculture, construction), allowing temporary workers to contribute legally without exploitation. This aligns with recent efforts to maximize employment-based visas, https://www.uscis.gov/EOY202

Enforce Deportation with Fairness: Prioritize deporting those with serious criminal records or recent illegal entries, while preventing line-cutting ahead of legal applicants. Provide a streamlined pathway to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents, minors, and asylum seekers based on humanitarian need, family ties, and contributions—similar to proposals in past bipartisan bills, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/29/fact-sheet-fixing-our-broken-immigration-system-so-everyone-plays-rules

Safeguard Elections: Strengthen voter ID laws to ensure only U.S. citizens vote, maintaining the integrity of our democracy.
Hold Employers Accountable: Mandate E-Verify for all hires and impose strict penalties for employing undocumented workers. This cracks down on exploitative practices that fuel modern slavery, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/29/fact-sheet-fixing-our-broken-immigration-system-so-everyone-plays-rules
Restrict Benefits to Citizens and Legal Residents: Prohibit undocumented individuals from accessing federal benefits, as reinforced by recent DOL guidance https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250710 Clarify that temporary visa holders (e.g., H-2A workers) are ineligible for long-term welfare programs to prevent dependency.

These measures will protect vulnerable workers, boost the economy by filling jobs legally, and uphold American values of justice and opportunity. Congress must act now—pass bipartisan legislation like the Dignity Act or similar reforms to make this a realit https://www.change.org/topic/immigration-reform
Call to Action: Sign this petition and share it widely. Urge your representatives to support these changes. Together, we can end exploitation and build a stronger America.