During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans witnessed the crucial role undocumented workers play in keeping the U.S. functioning. Their contributions were heroic, from harvesting fruits, vegetables, and cereals to feeding our children and families and working tirelessly in hospitals, warehouses, and sanitation services. Despite facing risks, including limited access to healthcare, these undocumented workers continued working, their resilience shining through in the face of adversity, essential but often overlooked. Unfortunately, this reality contrasts with the rhetoric used by elected President Trump, who repeatedly painted undocumented individuals as threats to our economy and society. Such negative stereotypes ignore these individuals’ indispensable role, not only during the pandemic but every day.

It’s crucial to recognize that undocumented workers contribute with their labor and the taxes they pay despite being excluded from many of the social safety nets their taxes help fund. It is wrong not to acknowledge the contributions of immigrants doing essential work. Let’s be truthful and just by supporting those undocumented immigrants who step up when it matters most, regardless of their immigration, we should advocate for pathways to citizenship and workplace protections that honor their dignity and sacrifices.

Alejandro Urrutia

Hudson