Undocumented Realities: Advocating for Immigration Reform in the U.S.
Draft
by Natalia Hernandez Berrios
Currently, there are about
11.04 million undocumented people
living in the U.S.
Who is undocumented?
The term "undocumented" is used as a way to describe immigrants who "reside in the United States without legal status" (Defining Undocumented, 2023 ).
FACTS ABOUT THE UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION
Explain section above- Talk about how the immigrant population in the U.S makes up 13.6% of the total us population and that from the 13.6% immigrant population, 25% of it is made up of undocumented immigrants. Talk about how the small percentage of the immigrant population from the total U.S population goes against the rhetoric that immigrants are taking over the country (facts go against the narrative that has been promoted). Then go on to explain that having 25% of the immigrant population be undocumented is a big many people haveo have been living in this country for many years without receiving benefits or other things). Transition into who the undocumented population is made up of and give a brief sentence of what is to come in the next sections.
What countries or regions are undocumented folk from ?
Add an explanation about the graphs above, the graphs so far are just setting the scene for what is to come. Mention the regions and countries undocumented folks come from. ABelow, it would also be good to insert a quote or video story about an undocumented person who has immigrated to the U.S.
- Reasons why people migrate:
- Escaping unsafe environments
- Better educational opportunities for themselves or their children
- Better work opportunities
Where do undocumented immigrants settle in the U.S?
People like Mario and Carlos came to the United States looking for a haven. They were escaping unsafe conditions in their home countries and saw the U.S. as a beacon of hope. Carlos and Mario have been living in the States from a young age. They have contributed to social and economic aspects of the U.S. Both of them have been living in the United States for at least 15 years and feel like this is their home. Yet both of them have still not been able to receive citizenship or access certain benefits such as in-state tuition, healthcare, etc.
Yet there's still NO immigration reform
"Nearly 3 in 4 Americans support undocumented immigrants being able to stay in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship" (FWD).
Current Immigration Policies
Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash
Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash
Work Legally in the U.S. through Employment-based Green Cards
- U.S. employer sponsors your application
- Demonstrate extraordinary abilities or specialized training
- Or invest between $500,000 and $1 million creating jobs in American communities
*this avenue is not as easy as one may think, immigrants have to "fight" for their right to come
Photo by Matt Bennett on Unsplash
Photo by Matt Bennett on Unsplash
Opportunity to get citizenship through Longtime-Resident Green Cards
Issued to individuals who have physically lived in the United States, either lawfully or unlawfully, since January 1, 1972.
Must have entered the U.S. on or before that date and not left since
*this avenue is not open to many immigrants anymore as many came after 1972
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Try your luck with a Diversity Visa
- The United States has a “green card lottery”
- Randomly awards immigrant visas for up to 50,000 people each year
*this avenue is only open to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States also over 11 million people applied in 2021
Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash
Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash
Family-based citizenship
- Issued to the family members of current U.S. citizens and green card holders
- It can include spouses, widows/widowers, children, parents, and siblings
Undocumented Immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy yet they don't receive benefits
The undocumented community does not have access to many resources in the U.S. Many undocumented folks are prohibited from accessing or receiving the following benefits:
- Social Security
- Driver's License/ Permit
- Identification Cards
- In-state tuition
- Federal Loans
- Federal Work Study
- list more....
*some of the things listed above vary by state*
^how many are employed. add info that connects to graph below that they work in key sectors.
^top industries where undocu work. talk about how they continued working during the pandemic, especially in agriculture. they work jobs others do not want to and they work for many grueling hours. Viviana and her family work in the agriculture sector. Viviana wanted to go to college after graduating from high school but was unable to because she could not afford it due to the lack of financial aid provided to undocumented students. She decided to work in agriculture to save up enough money to later go to college. Viviana's story is not unique. It is one of countless of stories undocumented youth and people. They come to the United States to seek better opportunities, they work long grueling hours yet receive no recognition or benefits for their hard jobs. As the video stated, immigrants are essential. Not many people want to work in the agriculture sector and undocumented folk help keep it moving.
During the pandemic, when everyone else was home, immigrants (documented and undocumented) were keeping the country going. They were the ones still risking their lives to work and put food on the tables of Americans. Agriculture workers were deemed heroes yet these heroes were not provided citizenship. They were given brief recognition with no tangible actions.
TRANSITION to how much they pay and help the economy yet receive no benefits. bring up points that they do pay taxes and receive no social security
*ADD story, maybe from PA dad who cannot drive daughter to hospital
Economic outlook if pathway to citizenship
Proving a pathway to citizenship for the 11.4 million undocumented folk would benefit everyone. (Insert info that connects Viviana's , Carlos', and Mario's stories all together, give them opportunity to work in their desired fields, opportunity to attend college) Then connect to broader economy (create more jobs, more business, more professionals, etc).
But this can change with YOUR help
What you can do
Stay Informed
Contact your Representative
- Reach out to elected representatives to advocate for immigrant rights
- Dial (202) 224-3121 and request to speak with your representative
- Urge elected officials to stand by immigrants and undocumented people
References
American Immigration Council. (2016, July 18). Adding Up the Billions in Tax Dollars Paid by Undocumented Immigrants. American Immigration Council. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/adding-billions-tax-dollars-paid-undocumented-immigrants
Center For Migration Studies. (n.d.). State Tool: Center for Migration Studies. Data.cmsny.org. http://data.cmsny.org/
Defining Undocumented. (2023). IMMIGRANTS RISING. https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/defining-undocumented/
Map the Impact of Immigration: U.S. Economic Data & Numbers [MAP] - New American Economy. (n.d.). Data.americanimmigrationcouncil.org. https://data.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/map-the-impact/
Migration Policy Institute. (2015, August 18). Unauthorized Immigrant Populations by Country and Region, Top States and Counties of Residence, 2012-16. Migrationpolicy.org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/unauthorized-immigrant-populations-country-and-region-top-state-and-county
Peri, G., & Zaiour, R. (2021, June 14). Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost U.S. Economic Growth. Center for American Progress; Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/citizenship-undocumented-immigrants-boost-u-s-economic-growth/
Rouse, C., Barrow, L., Rinz, K., & Soltas, E. (2021, September 17). The Economic Benefits of Extending Permanent Legal Status to Unauthorized Immigrants. The White House; The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2021/09/17/the-economic-benefits-of-extending-permanent-legal-status-to-unauthorized-immigrants/
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