Omaha Together One Community Leads
Statewide Effort
by Kathleen Grant and Jeanne Schuler
There are 50,000 – 80,000 job openings in Nebraska. That’s according to Bryan Slone, President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Nebraskans see “Help Wanted” signs everywhere. There is an “urgent” need for Nebraska workers, according to Erin Porterfield, Executive Director, Heartland Workforce Solutions. Employers say they are “desperate” for workers.
Leaders of Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), a 30-year-old non-partisan organization of 25 churches and community groups, have been meeting with a diverse group of Nebraska’s business, immigrant, advocacy, faith, hospitality, labor, educational, city, legal, and agricultural interests since late 2021 about Nebraska’s labor shortage. In an Omaha World-Herald article, Mr. Slone noted that workforce shortage is Nebraska’s “No. 1 issue.” He stated that “big and bold steps” are needed to address Nebraska’s workforce shortage and that “Federal immigration reform is critical to solving the worker shortage.” OTOC couldn’t agree with him more.
Nebraska’s labor shortage is the worst in the country. There are 65 people looking for work for every 100 job openings in the United States. However, in Nebraska, only 32 Nebraskans are looking for work for every 100 job openings—the lowest in the U.S. We hear “that’s because no one wants to work.” Not true. Nebraska has the second highest labor force participation rate in the United States. Further, Nebraska is in the top tier of states where workers work at least two jobs.
Fortunately, Nebraska has a solution-immigration reform.
There are three opportunities for reform that would significantly increase the number of eligible workers in Nebraska. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a temporary designation that allows persons who entered the U.S. during a specific time period and met specific requirements to have a provisional designation that protects them from deportation and allows them to work lawfully. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 4,000 Nebraskans are immediately eligible for DACA based on the criteria outlined at the program’s launch in 2012 (2021 data). Of these, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports that there are only 2,760 DACA recipients in Nebraska (March 31, 2022).
Unfortunately, those eligible for DACA are often reluctant to apply because they fear reprisals after disclosing personal information. There is a current injunction due to a lawsuit filed by the State of Texas and joined by Nebraska and other states, which allows eligible “dreamers” to apply for DACA, but USCIS will not process it. President Trump attempted to end DACA. If successful, we will lose thousands of educators, health care workers, business owners, and other productive Nebraskans.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation that allows individuals to remain in the U.S. as a “safe haven” because their countries of origin are too unsafe to accept them. TPS holders have work authorizations and are protected from deportation. Persons with TPS are here lawfully. They undergo rigorous vetting every 18 months at the cost of $500 per individual. Salvadorans are the largest group of persons with TPS in the U.S. Two thousand Salvadorans live and work in Nebraska, mainly in construction, food processing plants, restaurants, landscaping, and childcare. Most have lived here for decades, many own their homes, and many have children who are U.S. citizens. They pay income and payroll taxes even though they are ineligible to collect Social Security or Medicare. President Trump sought to end Temporary Protected Status for those from El Salvador. If that effort is successful, Nebraska will lose 2,000 workers and their citizen children.
In addition to DACA and TPS holders, there are 42,000 Nebraskans without documentation, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Of that number, 39,000 are 16 years or older. The majority are longstanding Nebraska residents. Fifty-seven percent (57 percent) are proficient at speaking English; 62 percent have lived in the U.S. for more than ten years; 44 percent of those 15 years or older are married; 49 percent have children living with them; 13 percent have a college or professional degree, and a third own their homes. These Nebraskans are supporting their communities. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that undocumented Nebraskans pay $40 million per year in state and local taxes, which does not count federal taxes!
Unfortunately, one-third of the adults are not in the labor force. Many who are working are not able to fully utilize their talents. At a recent meeting in a church in South Omaha, we met two women from Central America. One of them worked in health care before coming to the U.S. The other, a fluent English speaker, is an accountant. Both are cleaning houses.
In March 2022, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined a diverse group of national leaders to form the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC). ANIC aligns with OTOC’s priorities to convince Congress to make significant changes to our current immigration system. Their initial priorities address agricultural workers and persons with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Temporary Protected Status.
On July 27, OTOC convened a group of almost 60 Nebraska leaders at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to initiate a statewide effort to build the power necessary to influence our elected representatives and community leaders to recognize that immigrants are a solution to our labor shortage, and to put that recognition into action. Nebraskans for Peace leaders were active participants in this meeting. Going forward, OTOC anticipates growing this collaboration by conducting individual and small group meetings with Nebraskans across the state. These meetings will be opportunities for members of Nebraskans for Peace to be involved. We want to listen to and learn from other Nebraskans about their communities’ workforce needs and priorities.
Clearly, addressing Nebraska’s labor shortage is essential to Nebraska’s growth and economic health. It is also vital that we embrace our newest neighbors as they enrich, sustain, and revitalize our communities. Immigration reform is essential to solving Nebraska’s labor shortage. It is long overdue and the right thing to do.
There are 50,000 – 80,000 job openings in Nebraska. That’s according to Bryan Slone, President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Nebraskans see “Help Wanted” signs everywhere. There is an “urgent” need for Nebraska workers, according to Erin Porterfield, Executive Director, Heartland Workforce Solutions. Employers say they are “desperate” for workers.
Leaders of Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), a 30-year-old non-partisan organization of 25 churches and community groups, have been meeting with a diverse group of Nebraska’s business, immigrant, advocacy, faith, hospitality, labor, educational, city, legal, and agricultural interests since late 2021 about Nebraska’s labor shortage. In an Omaha World-Herald article, Mr. Slone noted that workforce shortage is Nebraska’s “No. 1 issue.” He stated that “big and bold steps” are needed to address Nebraska’s workforce shortage and that “Federal immigration reform is critical to solving the worker shortage.” OTOC couldn’t agree with him more.
Nebraska’s labor shortage is the worst in the country. There are 65 people looking for work for every 100 job openings in the United States. However, in Nebraska, only 32 Nebraskans are looking for work for every 100 job openings—the lowest in the U.S. We hear “that’s because no one wants to work.” Not true. Nebraska has the second highest labor force participation rate in the United States. Further, Nebraska is in the top tier of states where workers work at least two jobs.
Fortunately, Nebraska has a solution-immigration reform.
There are three opportunities for reform that would significantly increase the number of eligible workers in Nebraska. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a temporary designation that allows persons who entered the U.S. during a specific time period and met specific requirements to have a provisional designation that protects them from deportation and allows them to work lawfully. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 4,000 Nebraskans are immediately eligible for DACA based on the criteria outlined at the program’s launch in 2012 (2021 data). Of these, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports that there are only 2,760 DACA recipients in Nebraska (March 31, 2022).
Unfortunately, those eligible for DACA are often reluctant to apply because they fear reprisals after disclosing personal information. There is a current injunction due to a lawsuit filed by the State of Texas and joined by Nebraska and other states, which allows eligible “dreamers” to apply for DACA, but USCIS will not process it. President Trump attempted to end DACA. If successful, we will lose thousands of educators, health care workers, business owners, and other productive Nebraskans.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation that allows individuals to remain in the U.S. as a “safe haven” because their countries of origin are too unsafe to accept them. TPS holders have work authorizations and are protected from deportation. Persons with TPS are here lawfully. They undergo rigorous vetting every 18 months at the cost of $500 per individual. Salvadorans are the largest group of persons with TPS in the U.S. Two thousand Salvadorans live and work in Nebraska, mainly in construction, food processing plants, restaurants, landscaping, and childcare. Most have lived here for decades, many own their homes, and many have children who are U.S. citizens. They pay income and payroll taxes even though they are ineligible to collect Social Security or Medicare. President Trump sought to end Temporary Protected Status for those from El Salvador. If that effort is successful, Nebraska will lose 2,000 workers and their citizen children.
In addition to DACA and TPS holders, there are 42,000 Nebraskans without documentation, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Of that number, 39,000 are 16 years or older. The majority are longstanding Nebraska residents. Fifty-seven percent (57 percent) are proficient at speaking English; 62 percent have lived in the U.S. for more than ten years; 44 percent of those 15 years or older are married; 49 percent have children living with them; 13 percent have a college or professional degree, and a third own their homes. These Nebraskans are supporting their communities. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that undocumented Nebraskans pay $40 million per year in state and local taxes, which does not count federal taxes!
Unfortunately, one-third of the adults are not in the labor force. Many who are working are not able to fully utilize their talents. At a recent meeting in a church in South Omaha, we met two women from Central America. One of them worked in health care before coming to the U.S. The other, a fluent English speaker, is an accountant. Both are cleaning houses.
In March 2022, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined a diverse group of national leaders to form the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC). ANIC aligns with OTOC’s priorities to convince Congress to make significant changes to our current immigration system. Their initial priorities address agricultural workers and persons with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Temporary Protected Status.
On July 27, OTOC convened a group of almost 60 Nebraska leaders at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to initiate a statewide effort to build the power necessary to influence our elected representatives and community leaders to recognize that immigrants are a solution to our labor shortage, and to put that recognition into action. Nebraskans for Peace leaders were active participants in this meeting. Going forward, OTOC anticipates growing this collaboration by conducting individual and small group meetings with Nebraskans across the state. These meetings will be opportunities for members of Nebraskans for Peace to be involved. We want to listen to and learn from other Nebraskans about their communities’ workforce needs and priorities.
Clearly, addressing Nebraska’s labor shortage is essential to Nebraska’s growth and economic health. It is also vital that we embrace our newest neighbors as they enrich, sustain, and revitalize our communities. Immigration reform is essential to solving Nebraska’s labor shortage. It is long overdue and the right thing to do.
