HOUSTON — The Texas Restaurant Association says the industry is in crisis and is pointing to a growing worker shortage and declining sales across restaurants, bars and hotels.

Now, they’re urging Congress and the White House to take immediate action by granting work permits to long-term immigrant workers and asking the public to support the effort by signing an online petition.

“We can’t get the labor to run our restaurants,” said Emily Williams, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. “It’s leading to the loss of businesses across the state.”

Immigration crackdowns are making the situation worse, Williams said, creating widespread fear among immigrant communities. That fear is affecting both the workforce and consumer behavior.

“People are afraid to go out, afraid to wo

See Full Page