Letter: Immigrants Give To America

To The Editor:
All American citizens are immigrants or the ancestors of immigrants, unless they are Native Americans. The first immigrants came on the Mayflower, leaving their homes and families in search of religious freedom in America. Later people were brought here or came on their own, many through Ellis Island where our Statue of Liberty greets immigrants with the following quote: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Over the years, new people to America have felt the push to leave home to get away from wars, drug cartels, poverty, and oppression in their countries. They have also felt the pull to come to the US for safety, jobs, and freedom. About half the immigrants arriving today are from Central America, the rest from around the world. Their reasons for coming are similar no matter where they're from.  What would we do, if we were in their shoes?

International and US laws state that people who face danger in their home country have the right to apply for asylum, so immigrants who come through border checkpoints and who lived in dangerous situations aren't breaking the law. At the borders, mug shots, fingerprints, and background checks are done for all migrants who arrive the legal way. Due to the slow process it can take years for them to receive cards that allow them to stay.

Once they are allowed to work, the immigrants accept any jobs they can find. In their home countries they had jobs from all walks of life, including lawyers, chefs, and hair stylists. In the US, they often, though not exclusively, work jobs in the agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality industries. They receive low pay and work long hours, doing physically demanding and/or dangerous jobs - picking crops in the hot sun, lifting heavy equipment, repairing bridges at night, or requiring a repetitive motion such as cutting meat.

These are jobs many Americans would never work, but immigrants are thankful to have them. They often live in cramped quarters with other workers or family members so they can save money to start a business or find another way to improve life for their families.

This work force is a benefit to all Americans. Many older people retired after Covid, and 1.7 million younger workers dropped out of the workforce. Unemployment is low, and our population is in decline, so we don't have enough people to fill all job openings without immigrants. If businesses don't have workers, a recession is likely. Furthermore, working immigrants pay taxes. According to the American Immigrant Council Website, in 2022 they paid the US government $31.3 billion in taxes and $2.6 billion to the state of Michigan. Furthermore, they pay into Social Security, money they will only receive if they choose to become citizens. Their contributions help provide funds to pay our Social Security. These payments to our government and the products they purchase far offset the money paid out to help them settle in the US.

45.3 million Americans (1/8 of the US) were born abroad and are now contributing to our economy. Some immigrants are recruited to dying communities, where they live, buy, and work, helping to revive the town. They are lawyers, dental technicians, factory workers, scientists, teachers, car mechanics, etc. They become business owners, helping our economy. About 55% of US startup companies worth more than $1 billion were founded by immigrants, according to a study by the National Foundation for American Policy. From 1990 to 2016, immigrants made up 16% of inventors in the US but produced almost 1/4 of all patents.

Immigrants give to America in many other ways, too, such as joining the military to defend our country. They teach their children strong work ethics, so their children are a great asset to our workforce. A Northwestern University March 2024 study by Elisa Jacome found the children of low income immigrants tend to have stronger goals to improve their lives than low income US citizens. These immigrants also do valuable research that we benefit from through health discoveries and much more. The same study found that the loss of the research, invention, and services of these people would really hurt our economy.

Regarding crime, the Northwestern economist's study on immigrants found they are significantly less likely to commit crimes than US born people. Over a 150 year period, they have never been incarcerated at a greater rate than US citizens and they are 60% less likely to commit violent crimes than US born. So yes, some immigrants commit crimes, but we should be even more concerned with some whose families have lived here for generations.

Immigrants don't get special treatment here! It is illegal for them to vote. Many who have a legal right to be here are deported anyway. Often they aren't allowed to have a lawyer unless they can afford one. In many cases, if they could have a lawyer, they could prove they have the legal right to be in the US.

In order to change the immigration problems, Congress has to pass reforms to the immigration policy, last written and funded by Congress in the 1930s... Republicans and Democrats agree the current system is broken. A bipartisan policy needs to provide more agents to help with the years-long backlog of people waiting to hear about their status and agents to stop people from coming in illegally. Money is also needed to purchase large machines that will help stop drugs flow into the US.

Where have you seen immigrants working? At a favorite restaurant or hotel or a fun festival or dance competition? Appreciate these people who we share our earth with. Recognize what they have given up because of dire circumstances. Thank them for filling tough jobs. Their decision to leave family members and home was not made easily, just as it wasn't easy for your ancestors and mine.

For Christians, another way to think about immigrants relates to Jesus, who loved all people no matter what their color or life's circumstances were. Shouldn't we, too?

Rebecca Tuuk
Fremont MI

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