Lawmakers Urge End to Mass Deportations

Nine elected officials and business leaders called on the Trump administration to halt mass deportations and expand work permits and legal pathways for long-term immigrants.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Immigration

Live Poll

Should the U.S. grant work permits and legal status to long-term, law-abiding immigrants?

Nine elected officials and business leaders held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C., calling for an end to Trump administration mass deportations. The American Business Immigration Coalition Action said the press conference was held in the House Triangle at 9:15 a.m. on November 11, 2026.

Why it matters

The coalition argues that high prices and aggressive deportations have crippled the construction industry, and that last Tuesday's midterm results show voters want immigration reform. Lawmakers and business leaders urged the administration to advance work permits and legal status for long-term immigrants during the lame-duck period.

Nine participants joined the press conference at 9:15 a.m. on November 11, 2026, held at the House Triangle on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. The source provides no vote tallies, polling figures, or bill numbers, and does not say whether a specific legislative proposal is pending.

The players

American Business Immigration Coalition Action

A business-oriented immigration advocacy coalition that organized the press conference and issued the statement calling for reform. Its CEO is Rebecca Shi.

Veronica Escobar

Represents Texas's 16th congressional district, which includes El Paso, and participated in the call for immigration reform.

Ruben Gallego

A U.S. Senator from Arizona who joined the press conference calling for an end to mass deportations.

The details

Veronica Escobar, Ruben Gallego, Bobby Pulido, Henry Cuellar, Vicente Gonzalez, Joaquin Castro, Maria Elvira Salazar and Joanna Mendoza joined the coalition in calling for expanded work permits and legal pathways. The coalition's CEO, Rebecca Shi, framed the appeal as protecting local economies and lowering prices.

• Last Tuesday: midterm election held, with results cited by the coalition
• November 11, 2026, 9:15 a.m.: press conference held at the U.S. Capitol Grounds

Political Context

The appeal directly challenges the Trump administration's mass deportation policy at a moment when lawmakers and business leaders are pressing for work permits and legal pathways during the lame-duck session. The coalition ties its demand to the midterm results, which it says show voter support for immigration reform.

The call seeks work permits and legal status for long-term immigrants, which would affect employers in construction and other labor-dependent industries. No policy change has been enacted, so current enforcement and work authorization rules remain in effect.

The takeaway

Immigration policy remains contested, and the coalition's push depends on whether the lame-duck period produces concrete legislative action on work permits and legal status.