An immigration bill supported by Fellowship Southwest was signed this week by President Biden—giving hope to many who welcome and resettle immigrants and refugees.

The Bridging the Gap for New Americans Act (BGNAA) requires the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study of the factors affecting employment opportunities for immigrants and refugees with professional credentials obtained in foreign countries and provide policy recommendations to Congress. The purpose of the law is to reduce the human and economic toll of brain waste employment barriers generate, according to the National Immigration Forum, a key coalition partner for Fellowship Southwest’s immigration work.

“I am very pleased that the President signed this bipartisan legislation,” said Stephen Reeves, Executive Director of Fellowship Southwest. “Research consistently shows that enabling immigrants and refugees to find their fullest potential can stave off inflation and economic uncertainty. Hopefully, the result of the Department of Labor’s study brings needed change allowing new Americans to contribute even more to our country.”

The Brookings Institute reported that the immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy because many of the occupations immigrants practice complement the work of U.S. workers. Likewise, skilled immigrants can help fill the 11 million job openings in the aging services industry, per McKnights Senior Living and the 407,000 unfilled jobs per the Association of Builders and Contractors.

According to Elket Rodríguez, field personnel for CBF, many immigrants and refugees in the U.S. are precluded from practicing their occupations because they have academic degrees and credentials from other countries. “It is painful to watch skilled, professional and educated immigrants struggle to practice their occupations in the U.S.,” Rodríguez said. “It can affect their sense of worth, and it is also a missed opportunity for our communities who can benefit from the breadth of their knowledge and skills.”

To learn more about the law, click here.