Undocumented Immigrants: The Silent Force of the U.S. Economy

It is time for our lawmakers and leaders to make decisions based on justice, compassion, and the real needs of the United States

Art generated with AL

DENISON, Iowa —

By Lorena López Altamirano

In the midst of the sea of polarized discourses that define United States immigration policy, it is crucial to remember a group of people whose existence is fundamental to the functioning of the nation, but who, nonetheless, continue to be treated with indifference and disdain: the undocumented immigrants who have lived in this country for more than a decade.

These men and women, who arrived in search of a better future for themselves and their families, have time and again demonstrated that they are the true invisible pillars that support a large part of the United States economy.

Over the years, undocumented immigrants have worked tirelessly in key sectors of the American economy: agriculture, construction, cleaning, domestic service, and the food industry. Many of them arrived as youths or even children, without the opportunity to choose their fate, and today, after more than 10 years in this country, they continue to contribute with their hard work and sacrifice while living in uncertainty, without access to a legal status that would allow them to live with the dignity they deserve.

These immigrants, who pay taxes through the ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) program, continue to contribute to the funding of public services, Social Security, and the infrastructure that benefit the entire nation.

However, despite being an integral part of the U.S. workforce, they do not have access to the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens and legal residents. In many cases, they find themselves trapped in a situation where their contribution to the economy and their life in this country do not guarantee them legal protection or basic rights, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and social exclusion.

It is time for the United States to recognize that these immigrants are not a burden, but an essential part of the community that has worked hard to build the country we know. It is urgent that comprehensive immigration reform be enacted to allow immigrants who have lived in this country for more than a decade to obtain a work permit renewable annually—based on tax payments, the payment of a fine for having broken the law, and a thorough background check. This permit could be extended for a period of five years, at the end of which those who continue to meet their responsibilities could be considered for permanent residency—a green card—and eventually U.S. citizenship.

This process would not only be an act of justice and humanity but also an economic necessity for the country. The money collected from fines for breaking the law could be invested in programs that address the most urgent social issues, such as homelessness and addiction. Millions of Americans born in this country live on the streets, homeless and without access to basic services. Meanwhile, thousands of immigrants who work hard in various industries continue to be criminalized when their only fault is having come to the United States in search of a better life. This money could be used to invest in the rehabilitation of homeless people, develop drug prevention programs, or even improve educational and health services in communities that need them most.

The model of just immigration reform that allows for the regularization of these immigrants, without resorting to mass deportation policies, would benefit both immigrant families and American society as a whole. These workers, many of whom are already rooted in the country, contribute to economic stability, agricultural production, infrastructure construction, and, in general, the maintenance of the economy. Legalizing their status would allow them to live without fear, continue contributing through their work, and in many cases, even further enhance the well-being of the communities in which they live.

This is not only a moral issue but also a matter of common sense. This country needs these workers, and these workers need this country. The solution is not to expel them, but to fully integrate them into North American society—giving them the opportunity to live and work with dignity, to create a legally recognized future, and to be part of the nation that has welcomed them.

It is time for our lawmakers and leaders to make decisions based on justice, compassion, and the real needs of the United States. An immigration reform that allows undocumented immigrants to live and work legally in this country would be not only a Christian and humanitarian act but also an economic necessity for the United States, which continues to depend on the labor of millions of immigrants living in the shadows.

Both political parties have for years used immigrants. The Democrats have failed on promises for reform, and many (but not all) Republicans employ divisive, cruel language to maintain their donor and voter bases.

Instead of continuing with polarization and confrontation, we must seek solutions that benefit everyone. It is time to recognize the sacrifice and dedication of these immigrants and give an opportunity to those who have been building this country in an honest and valuable way for more than a decade. Comprehensive immigration reform that allows for the regularization of these workers will strengthen the social and economic fabric of the nation, ensuring that the United States remains the great country it has always been—a land of opportunity for all.

Lorena López Altamirano,

About From Managua To Main Street: Stories Of Immigrants

(Lorena López Altamirano, founder of From Managua To Main Street, owner of La Prensa, Iowa Spanish Newspaper and a former national television journalist in her home nation of Nicaragua, is a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Read dozens of the most talented writers in Iowa in just one place. The Iowa Writers' Collaborative spans the full state. It’s one of the biggest things going in Iowa journalism and writing now — and you don’t want to miss. This collaborative is — as the outstanding Quad Cities journalist Ed Tibbetts says — YOUR SUNDAY IOWA newspaper. )