I have chosen the topic of Immigrants being the backbone of society, most importantly the economy. This concept has always been one of much interest to me. Being the daughter of two immigrant parents, watching them tirelessly work themselves to the bone made me realize that they do some much hard labor for a country that doesn’t even want them here. They have ignited the spark of indignation in me. I knew that working the way in which they do (manual labor), immigrants must have a more integral part in the economy than most think. 

During these trying times, immigrant workers have never been more essential. Most immigrant workers were part of the “essential” workers that were out during the middle of a pandemic providing services. During the wildfires in California, farmer workers (almost entirely made up of immigrants) were out in the fields picking the food that would later land on your plate.  I remember reading an article in which Tom Jawetz, vice president for immigration policy at the Center for American Progress testified to the US House subcommittee on Immigration and citizenship. In that article, he discussed how immigrant workers were essential workers especially during the time of covid. Jawetz states how he had seen the pictures of immigrant workers out in fields during California’s wildfires with masks on and the lights of their phones on, picking the food that we would later eat, that image really stuck with me. I had seen a picture similar to that one. Largely due to the way in which I was raised, what I have seen, and what I know I am more certain than ever this topic needs to be talked about more. I have made it my mission to bring more light to this issue so that eventually one day new reforms and laws could be made to protect immigrant workers. I believe that they are the backbone of society and if what we have just been through as a collective whole hasn’t proven that to you I don’t know what will.

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