Congress Passes Legislation with Measures to Advance Labor Mobility

Capitol Hill, Washington DC, USA, by Alejandro Barba.

On March 23, 2024, Congress passed legislation that included two important measures to advance refugee labor mobility in the United States.

First, Congress directed the State Department to expand refugee labor mobility. Specifically, it ordered the Secretary of State "to expand efforts, utilizing existing organizations and mechanisms, to assist refugees and other displaced persons in becoming self-reliant through labor mobility, as a complementary solution for refugees in addition to resettlement." The State Department must also report to Congress on the steps it takes to implement this directive. 

Second, Congress ordered the State Department "to report to the Committees on Appropriations on the regulations and policies regarding consular processing and visa adjudications for stateless and displaced persons." This responds to longstanding advocacy from TBB, working with partner organizations, urging the Biden Administration to ensure that refugees can access employment-based visas.

Talent Beyond Boundaries advocates with governments to address obstacles that refugees face in seeking lasting refuge through international employment opportunities. Since 2022, TBB has advocated for the U.S. government to adopt policies that would not require legislation, such as improving the State Department's policies for visa applicants who cannot obtain passports because they are refugees or stateless people. 

The legislation demonstrates that Congress shares these goals. Building on advocacy successes in other locations, TBB will continue to promote labor mobility as an immigration pathway complementary to resettlement and asylum.