Latin America’s Rightful Place in the U.S. Depends on Distinguishing Legal and Illegal Immigration

Conflating legal and illegal immigration confuses, demeans, and discounts millions of immigrants trying to enter the United States legally. Legal and illegal immigrants are very different categories, and the question of the United States’ soul and the good millions of its citizens can do cannot be about distinctions of that sort.

Latin America’s Presence Beyond Stereotypes

But when the mainstream U.S. conversation about Latin Americans refers to them as undocumented, it erases the experience of the millions of lawful Latin American immigrants in the U.S., And that’s an insult to them. Each individual has a unique human story of striving, sacrifice, and service. The accomplishments of these individuals in the United States are remarkable, yet their personal narratives and identities are often obscured by misconceptions and stereotypes. They have valuable experiences and perspectives that deserve recognition and celebration. Moreover, these misperceptions are not only dehumanizing but also erase the stories and contributions of the millions of legal immigrants to the U.S. who provide vital entry-level jobs for the economy, are nurses and medical personnel, pick fruit and vegetables as farm workers, and care for the elderly and provide other essential services for the country.

 Building a life in the United States is often a deeply personal and transformative experience for many. It’s a journey that can come with its fair share of hurdles. Picture the countless hours spent filling out complicated forms, ensuring every detail is exemplary. Imagine the nerves before interviews, knowing how pivotal these moments are for your future. Many also face significant financial challenges, often stretching their resources to the limit.

Yet, through these trials, remarkable strength and perseverance shine through. Each person has a unique story, filled with hopes and dreams. They are not just “immigrants” or statistics; they have compassion, courage, and a genuine desire to contribute to their new community. Their commitment to following the law and integrating into American society reflects their respect for its opportunities. Referring to them simply as “immigrants” risks overlooking the rich, multifaceted journeys that shape their lives. Do not overlook the genuine difficulties they face along with their hopes and positive impacts on society. Rather than labeling them based on their status alone, it is important to appreciate their courageous narratives of determination and valor, acknowledging the unique humanity within each person. It is crucial to extend our compassion, empathy, and regard for them as they strive to establish themselves in a land.

The Economic Impact of Legal Immigrants

It doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that the U.S. economic quilt integrates legally solved Latin Americans, for the main reason it is legal is that immigrants tend to work in industries vital to the U.S. infrastructure. Carved in the robust architecture of agricultural, health, and tech-revolving sectors, these workers act as a critical swell for industries at the country’s core. Through every step, non-criminal, hardworking immigrants make a bridge for vital sectors. Very protean workers are the agricultural ones. From farms to all the related institutions, they and Latin Americans make the nation’s guts stronger by improving the feeding infrastructure for the whole country. Now, where doctors, nurses, and assistants are scarce in hospitals, medical care facilities, and clinics, natural-born and learned Latin American immigrants are helping by letting the U.S. fill the vacancy already met in their countries of origin. The same is true about everyday health assistance. Where unoccupied positions revolve around health across institutions, immigrants are responsible for huge percentages exceeding nationwide and local averages. Equally scarce as doctors, nurses, and assistants in general places of care, such as hospitals, Latin Americans have also made an essential layoff of vacancies in the hospitalization and the maintenance of robust insurance policies shortage across the U.S. What they have is significant. They remain life-affirming: they help sustain the U.S. and ignite hope.

 Yet, in equating Latin American immigrants with illegality, we often efface them, taking away any meaningful agency in their arrivals and ignoring our own routes from undocumented to recognized via the dreadfully complicated and prohibitively expensive process of filing paperwork with immigration officers. To insist on their legal entitlement to be here – and to work – is the least that should be demanded of us in calling forth their place in the U.S.

Mass Deportation: Consequences for Both Sides

This fantasy of mass deportation, currently being postured as policy by self-assured political leaders, would be an economic disaster for Latin American communities and the U.S. alike. Mass deportation of hundreds of thousands – legal or not – leads to an upheaval for entire families, communities, and economies. And policies of mass deportation will be devastating for anyone who has gone through the proper legal channels to be here, who has staked a family, community, and life in the U.S. The homes and businesses that have been built and rebuilt for legal immigration would be lost to policies of mass deportation. These strategies are wrecking balls to the human complexity that is the migrant experience, and it is paving the way for humanitarian catastrophes for Latin American communities.

Especially for Latin Americans whose lives and fortunes were founded on legal immigration, what’s at issue isn’t simply politics but the prospect of losing their homes and businesses, of removing support networks of friends and neighbors. It’s essential to understand the differences between documented and undocumented immigrants. At the core of this issue lies a profound understanding of the social and economic bonds that have developed over the years as people have moved across borders. These connections go beyond mere numbers; they embody the stories of families, the strength of communities, and a shared history that adds depth to our society. Acknowledging these ties gives us a clearer view of immigration and its far-reaching effects on our daily lives. Seeing the real people behind the statistics can foster a more compassionate and informed perspective on this complex topic.

Immigration Reform with Fairness and Respect at the Forefront

And yet, as we hear calls for more restrictive controls on immigration, we must keep demanding a reasoned reform of immigration under carefully watched but viable borders that recognize the staying power of legalization. A policy of this type could provide a path for those who are undocumented and wish to become legal – but only after legal arrivals have come forward, learned rights and responsibilities, and shared in the benefits of citizenship. In a series of studies conducted in Latino neighborhoods, we found that public opinion favors immigration reform, including secure borders and a path to citizenship. This type of reform acknowledges the contributions of legal immigrants and offers significant economic benefits to the country.

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These contributions will have to be taken seriously to come close to creating policies that foster better integration and equal treatment. Once they are no longer hidden or invisible, Latino community members should claim attention in the eyes of community members who are now there, not those whose experiences and contributions have been erased by law. The process would end up reinforcing a system of migration that has been plagued by exploitation and violence. It would rehabilitate what hundreds of thousands have invested in by coming to America through a system of entry that is, after all, legal.