Immigrants cooperating in labor abuse investigations now have more time to stay in US legally

Undocumented immigrants who are working with government agencies investigating labor abuses against their employers now will have double the time — up to four years — to be protected from deportation. That’s according to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell who told GBH News that the federal government agreed to the extension after her office helped lead a coalition of 27 state and local labor enforcement agencies seeking change. The two-year process for people involved in labor investigations was launched last year by the Department of Homeland Security. Workers who are victims or witnesses of labor rights violations can apply for a “Deferred Action program,” which offers protections to noncitizens.