Dear South Central LAMP,
As you can imagine, the continued ICE raids on our community have been very challenging to live with, to say the least. Many are feeling stressed, fearful, sad and sometimes a little hopeless. But I am determined to find ways to resist the oppressive, violent ways this administration and its supporters have sought to not only erase our community but villainize it as well. One way is by truth telling.
These raids have inadvertently highlighted the various injustices our community faces when applying for citizenship. A common question by many is why have so many immigrants lived in the shadows for so long, without seeking citizenship. The truth is that the pathway to citizenship in the United States is not simple, direct, or easy.
In many countries, including the U.S., immigration policies are shaped by various factors, including to serve special and political interest. Special interests can be employment-based, giving priority to individuals specialized in science, business, athletics, etc. While fieldworkers, mechanical skills, or basic labor are not a priority, and are often given only temporary status. Who decides what a special interest is, the government often through the advocacy of lobbyists from an industry or a company. Political interests can mean many things, including refugee status by those fleeing authoritarian, communist, or warring countries.
As you can garner, our immigration system is not one size fits all. The truth is there is not a line where everyone enters through, so when you hear people say, they are jumping the line, that’s untrue. What’s also untrue is that undocumented immigrants are not obtaining citizenship the “right way”. When there are many routes for citizenship, the “right way” can be subjective.
If you have not had a chance to view the press conference led by activist Flor Martinez Zaragoza and farm workers on July 16, I encourage you to view it. Click Here to read the Los Angeles Magazine article, where they relayed the conference via written word: Farmworkers Call for Strike After ICE Raids – LAmag.
During the conference, Gabriel, a farmworker, brought proof of the 19 years he has been submitting and paying his taxes. “I’ve been doing this year, after year, after year. For a promise that I would get my citizenship. This is my testimony, that I am not a criminal. We are not criminals.” In the press conference he went on to say that he did this because he was told that these acts may give him a path to citizenship, though it was never guaranteed.
Undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the tax base through various tax streams and regularly file tax returns. Research indicates that undocumented immigrants pay substantial amounts in federal, state, and local taxes, utilizing mechanisms like ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) to meet tax obligations. Recently the administration entered into an MOU with the IRS, to obtain names, addresses, and other tax information from the same people that did things the “right way”. Gabriel’s story is just one of millions.
My goal in truth telling is to help our allies have the resources to speak out against the lies that have perpetuated for many, many years, not just during this administration. I ask that you use this information to share with you spheres of influence and truth tell with me. Together we can be the change we wish to see in the world, because honestly, there is no other choice, as Barack Obama said, “We either move forward together, or not at all.”
Diana Z. Pinto
Executive Director