AFL-CIO Mobilizes For Executive Amnesty

The AFL-CIO is starting an effort to train union members and activists from across the country in how to sign illegal immigrants up for President Obama’s executive amnesty.

Tuesday the labor union officially launched its “We Rise” immigration training program.

According to the AFL-CIO, the effort is “designed to reach, mobilize and organize immigrant workers in their workplaces and in their communities” by training more than 200 union members, leaders and activists from 26 states about the president’s recent executive amnesty.

“Participants will be trained to assist as many eligible workers as possible to gain rights on the job by applying for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs and to encourage qualified legal permanent residents to become U.S. citizens,” an AFL-CIO blog post explains of the three-day kick-off event in Washington, D.C.

While President Obama’s executive amnesty — specifically the expansion of DACA and DAPA — has been blocked by a federal judge, the AFL-CIO’s effort is moving forward as the Justice Department appeals the decision.

“If anyone asks you why we’re holding this training now, while we wait for a judge to either clear the way or put up another hurdle, tell them this progress can be stalled but it cannot be stopped,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Tuesday during the first day of training, USA Today reports.

According to the blog, the kick-off event has five objectives including efforts to: “Build a shared understanding of what immigration implementation means for workers and the labor movement;” “Identify the strategies, tools and resources necessary for successful implementation;” “Generate a field plan for immigration implementation;” “Create a national network of engaged unions and community partners;” and “Launch the We Rise! Initiative.”

Monday, ahead of an April 17 court hearing, the Justice Department officially filled a brief with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to lift the federal judge’s preliminary hold on Obama’s executive amnesty.