Protecting Worker Rights Under Project 2025: The Changing Landscape on Immigration Enforcement & the Need for Worker Solidarity

By Janet Howard

The outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election has raised questions about the future of worker rights, union protections, and immigration policy. With the likely return of a Trump administration under Project 2025, the landscape for labor laws, union activities, and immigration enforcement will experience significant shifts. Given the previous Trump administration’s record, this change is expected to have both challenges and opportunities for workers, especially those in immigrant communities. This article explores the potential impact of Project 2025 on worker rights, the role of immigration enforcement, and the critical need for worker solidarity in safeguarding these rights.

The Trump Administration’s Legacy on Immigration and Worker Rights

The first Trump administration (2017–2021) brought sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policy and labor laws. Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. witnessed aggressive immigration enforcement, especially in workplaces. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up raids on businesses suspected of employing undocumented workers. This created an atmosphere of fear, particularly among immigrant workers, who were often reluctant to speak out about unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or labor violations for fear of deportation.

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At the same time, the Trump administration’s stance on union rights was generally hostile. Labor unions saw their influence weakened, with efforts to roll back protections for union workers and reduce the power of collective bargaining. Executive orders and appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) shifted the balance toward employers, weakening workers’ rights to organize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. The Trump administration also sought to limit regulations that protected workers in areas like health and safety, overtime pay, and minimum wage standards, arguing that such regulations were burdensome to businesses.

Project 2025: A Vision for the Future

Project 2025, a strategic blueprint for a potential second Trump term, is expected to consolidate many policies initiated during Trump’s first presidency. According to reports from various sources, Project 2025 is set to push for an even more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement and worker rights policies. One of the key aspects of this plan will likely involve increasing the power of ICE to conduct workplace raids and criminalizing employers who hire undocumented workers. This potential future raises significant concerns about the rights and safety of workers, particularly those in industries reliant on immigrant labor.

For workers, particularly those in industries reliant on immigrant labor—such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality—this may mean heightened surveillance and stricter enforcement of immigration laws. While some argue that these policies would curb illegal immigration, others contend that they may destabilize the labor force and put essential workers at risk of deportation.

The Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Worker Rights

The intersection of immigration enforcement and worker rights is a complex and contentious issue. On one hand, robust immigration enforcement can protect American jobs by ensuring that only legally authorized workers are employed. On the other hand, aggressive immigration raids can have a chilling effect on worker protections. Undocumented workers, in particular, are vulnerable to exploitation, as they are often afraid to report labor violations for fear of being detained or deported.

Under Project 2025, continuing and possibly intensifying workplace immigration raids would further exacerbate these concerns. Immigrant workers who are in the country illegally would likely feel more vulnerable in reporting unsafe working conditions, harassment, wage theft, or discrimination. The increased threat of deportation could discourage immigrant workers from seeking legal recourse or joining unions to protect their rights.

Moreover, the stigmatization of immigrant workers in the workplace could have broader implications for worker solidarity. By framing undocumented workers as a “threat” to the U.S. economy and culture, Project 2025 risks sowing division among the American workforce. This fragmentation undermines the collective power that unions and workers’ movements have historically relied on to demand better wages, improved working conditions, and labor protections.

Protecting Worker Rights Under Project 2025: The Changing Landscape on Immigration Enforcement & the Need for Worker Solidarity

January 8, 9AM-12PM:  Given the results of the last presidential election and the previous Trump administration’s record, the upcoming administration will likely significantly impact union rights enforcement and immigration policy practices. Join us for a workshop and strategic conversation among policy experts, union leaders and immigrant worker advocates to understand what Project 2025 intends to do and how we can address it.

 

Join Cornell ILR for a workshop and strategic conversation with policy experts, union leaders, and immigrant worker advocates to unpack the goals of Project 2025 and explore ways to counter them. Through interactive activities and discussions, we will reflect on the panels and strategize how to strengthen the labor and immigrant rights community, supporting one another to defend the rights of all workers.

Learn more and register here.

The Need for Worker Solidarity in the Changing Landscape

Despite the challenges posed by Project 2025, the potential for worker solidarity offers a ray of hope. Workers—both documented and undocumented—must stand together to ensure their rights are not trampled upon by punitive immigration policies or employer exploitation. Unions have historically played a key role in advocating for workers’ rights and providing a platform for collective bargaining. However, with the expected rollback of union protections under Project 2025, worker solidarity may have to extend beyond traditional union structures. If harnessed effectively, this solidarity could be a powerful force for protecting worker rights.

One possible avenue for solidarity is through “sanctuary” workplaces or “workers’ rights coalitions,” which would allow immigrant workers to organize in ways that protect them from the threat of deportation. These coalitions would push for policies that protect workers from discrimination, ensure safe working conditions, and advocate for better wages and benefits. By forming alliances between unions and immigrant advocacy organizations, these coalitions could offer critical support to immigrant workers and challenge policies undermining their rights.

In addition, solidarity efforts can extend into legislative action. Workers, activists, and unions must resist any attempts to weaken protections for immigrant workers and roll back labor rights. This could involve lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform addressing labor needs and immigrant rights. Advocating for laws that shield workers from retaliation, provide access to legal representation, and improve working conditions could help mitigate the negative consequences of aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

The Role of Labor Unions in Protecting Worker Rights

Labor unions will be crucial in protecting worker rights under Project 2025. Despite the anticipated challenges, unions have historically been a powerful force in advocating for policies that benefit immigrant and non-immigrant workers. Unions have the organizational strength, legal expertise, and mobilization capacity to fight back against efforts to undermine worker rights, including challenges to union protections and the growing surveillance of immigrant workers.

In this context, unions must ensure they are inclusive and responsive to the unique needs of immigrant workers. This includes offering language support, protecting workers from ICE raids, and advocating for legislation that grants immigrant workers the same protections as their documented counterparts. Unions must also focus on coalition-building with immigrant advocacy groups to strengthen the fight for worker rights across all sectors.

Pivotal Moment

Project 2025 represents a pivotal moment for worker rights and immigration enforcement in the United States. As the new administration is expected to alter the landscape of labor laws and immigration policies significantly, the protection of worker rights—particularly for immigrant workers—will be at the forefront of public debates. The intensification of immigration enforcement, coupled with the erosion of union protections, poses a serious threat to the rights of workers across industries.

However, worker solidarity can counter these changes, including coalition-building between unions, immigrant rights organizations, and community groups. By standing together, workers can safeguard their rights, demand better working conditions, and ensure that immigration enforcement does not undermine the dignity and fairness of the labor force. As the U.S. navigates the challenges of a changing political climate, worker solidarity will be the key to protecting the fundamental rights of all workers, regardless of their immigration status.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates!

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