Our Work

Strengthening American prosperity

Immigrants fuel America’s workforce and global economic competitiveness.
Their contributions must be protected.

Immigrants and immigration are central to America’s economic prosperity. They make up nearly 20% of the labor force and help fill critical gaps in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and construction.

Immigrants are also essential to maintaining U.S. leadership in cutting-edge fields like semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical research—industries vital to both our economic and national security. Nearly one in five workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are immigrants.

Yet today, millions of immigrants with work authorization are at risk of losing their legal status and being removed from the workforce. Others are fearful of showing up at their jobs for fear of deportation. Millions more are blocked from coming in the future, depriving our country of the dynamism that comes from being the top destination for talent from around the world. Continuing down this path will raise costs for American families, drive talent in critical industries overseas, and push sectors like manufacturing and construction to the breaking point.

Key priorities

Protecting America's workforce and growing the economy

In January 2025, an estimated 6.4 million immigrants held temporary protections and work authorization through programs like DACA and TPS, or through active cases in the asylum process. As of September, nearly 1 million have lost that authorization, and many more are at risk. Sidelining these workers will inevitably ripple through the economy, driving down our productivity and driving up costs for all Americans.

Securing America's leadership in the global race for talent

For decades, the U.S. has been the premier destination for the world’s best and brightest. Today, that competitive advantage is jeopardized by an outdated immigration system under renewed attack—targeting international students, H-1B visa holders, and more.

Protecting undocumented immigrants—and the core industries that rely on them—from the ramp up in deportation

Today, fear of deportation runs deep and wide, across every state and across every sector of the economy. Families live under threat of separation. Workers increasingly fear that the jobs they need to make ends meet might lead to their arrest and deportation.

Spotlight

Prices for all Americans are set to unnecessarily rise under planned immigration policies impacting the U.S. labor force

President Trump’s immigration agenda will cost American families an extra $2,150 each year in everyday goods and services. Such a stark increase will erase many American families’ annual savings, and amount to one of their bi-weekly paychecks each year.

Immigrants power state economies nationwide

Select a state to find relevant fact sheets showing the impacts of immigrants on the U.S. workforce

Resources

Our insights and analysis

What is OPT?

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training allows international students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the U.S. immediately.

Ending Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers Will Cost Billions

Ending Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers Will Cost Billions

The proposed asylum work permit rule would drive up inflation, sacrifice billions in lost tax revenue, and create chaos in major industries....

H-1B hiring freezes by states

H-1B hiring freezes by states

New state policies banning H-1B hiring could severely limit access to quality medical care and bankrupt critical research efforts.

Attacks on International Students Stifle Growth

Attacks on International Students Stifle Growth

International students are crucial to American competitiveness in the global talent race, and ongoing threads hurt the future of the American economy....

Global Race for Talent

Global Race for Talent

For decades, the United States has been the top destination for the world’s best and brightest talent. However, our failure to expand...

September 16, 2024
The H-1B Visa: Policy Brief

The H-1B Visa: Policy Brief

The H-1B visa addresses critical workforce needs and strengthens the economy—but shouldn’t be the only option for highly educated & skilled immigrants.

What is OPT?

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training allows international students to gain valuable experience and begin contributing to the U.S. immediately.

Ending Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers Will Cost Billions

Ending Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers Will Cost Billions

The proposed asylum work permit rule would drive up inflation, sacrifice billions in lost tax revenue, and create chaos in major industries....

H-1B hiring freezes by states

H-1B hiring freezes by states

New state policies banning H-1B hiring could severely limit access to quality medical care and bankrupt critical research efforts.

Attacks on International Students Stifle Growth

Attacks on International Students Stifle Growth

International students are crucial to American competitiveness in the global talent race, and ongoing threads hurt the future of the American economy....

Global Race for Talent

Global Race for Talent

For decades, the United States has been the top destination for the world’s best and brightest talent. However, our failure to expand...

September 16, 2024
The H-1B Visa: Policy Brief

The H-1B Visa: Policy Brief

The H-1B visa addresses critical workforce needs and strengthens the economy—but shouldn’t be the only option for highly educated & skilled immigrants.

Press

In the news

New Economic Data Reveals How Immigration Enforcement Tactics Threaten Black Immigrants, U.S. Citizen Families, and Billions in Economic Contributions

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  FWD.us, The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), NAACP, and UndocuBlack Network today released a new fact sheet highlighting the profound...

February 9, 2026

FWD.us Statement on Texas Freezing New H-1B Visa Petitions at Public Universities and Agencies

AUSTIN, TX – Zaira Garcia, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us, issued the following statement today in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s...

January 28, 2026