18 Undocumented Latinos in the Midwest

It is important to know more about undocumented immigrants and labor in larger midwestern cities in order to better understand the role of Latinos in the Midwest. Undocumented labor is frowned upon by others because it allows people to avoid paying taxes which makes other people angry and look down upon them. This creates a problem because draws wedges in between members of the community and supports inequality.  It is important that we know more about this topic so that we stray from judgement, look for ways to help the problem, and be able to sympathize with those who are working without documentation. The key to change is changing our response to these situations and becoming more accepting of everyone around us.

When Latinos come to the United States, it can sometimes be difficult for them to find a job. This is largely because they are undocumented, and it is estimated that “Latin Americans made up 80 percent of the undocumented immigrants living in the United States as of March 2002”, according to Hispanics and the Future of America (Duncan). Because they are undocumented, Latinos have struggled to make livable wages while living in the United States because “the battle for belonging wages forward as communities across the United States continue to struggle with their response to undocumented immigrants.” (Vega, location 4249) This is an issue because the United States as a whole, but specifically the Midwest, need to learn to accept undocumented immigrants into the community because it makes it easier for these Latinos to integrate and find a home in the Midwest. Although it is important for them to get their documentation, it is also extremely important for them to be accepted into the community and feel a belonging because they are human beings. Anyone entering the United States and attempting to integrate should be greeted in a welcoming manner because that is what we would want for ourselves. This is not a problem of politics or economy; it is actually a problem of human compassion and acceptance and we can choose how we want to respond to this situation.

The main reason that this topic is of such importance is because of humanity. Humanity refers to humankind as a collective group rather than scattered categories. Regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity, we are all human beings and we all deserve the same rights and treatment. There is a YouTube video directed by an undocumented Latino immigrant named Yosimar Reyes, where he writes a ‘love letter’ to all of the other undocumented immigrants. It is important to watch because it brings emotion into the argument and shows the situation from their point of view. He begins the poem by stating, “I love my undocumented people. I love us because every day we wake up to a country that hates us.” (Reyes, 0:20) This is a very moving statement to read because it shows that this group of people must have unbreakable strength to endure the treatment they get from the country they live in. Reyes also states, “I love my undocumented people because we constantly have had to prove our humanity and we have constantly done it beautifully because to stay human under these conditions you have had to have an understanding of beauty.” (Reyes, 1:51) This is a very important quote to learn from because it proves that all humans are equal and should be treating equally. It also amazing to me that the people who are treated most harshly have the greatest amount of love and compassion in their hearts. We can all learn from this video.

It is also important for us to further understand because by placing undocumented immigrants in a negative light, we are causing conflict between individuals in their own communities as well. With everything else that these people are dealing with trying to get their documentation, the last thing they want is for relationships with family members to be severed because of the opinions and opposition of other people. “Don Osvaldo’s case also complicates how labor competition and notions of belonging penetrate even these long-established relationships. Don Osvaldo related a divisive moment for these families that demonstrates how a politics of immigration and belonging created tensions and competition between relatives even in these early periods of settlement.” (Vega, location 32) It isn’t fair for us to take the concept of undocumented immigrants that we’ve created in our heads and use it to destroy personal lives of people we don’t even know. These families should be sticking together and closer than ever throughout these troubling times for them.

There was a section of the book that listed common themes and phrases about undocumented immigrants that people in the Midwest agreed upon. Some of these include, “Undocumented Immigrants do not pay taxes” and “Undocumented Immigrants depress wages” (Vega, location 2448) Although it is true that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes, it is unfair of us to get angry about this because they have no choice. They are living in a very unfair situation because employers do not have to pay them fair and livable wages because it is undocumented and unregulated. I would assume that they would rather pay taxes than not get paid enough money to put food on the table for their families. I do not understand how we allow anyone to live like that in the Midwest. It is unbelievable to me that undocumented immigrants can be paid that poorly while onlookers just watch and do nothing about it. In my opinion, tax fraud and unfair wages are not even in the same league of problems. The most important thing is for everyone to have a place to live, a family to go home to, and food on the table. Additionally, undocumented immigrants do depress wages, but they are not the problem. In Reyes’ poem he states, “We are so grateful that often we forget we deserve better”. (Reyes, 0:56) Instead of blaming them, we need to learn further information about what we can do to incorporate them into the system and get their documentation because then it wouldn’t be a problem we would have to face anymore. We need to focus more on helping rather than jumping to conclusions and judging others for things that we are too lazy to change.

The main thing we need to focus on is ourselves and what we can do for others, not what other people can do for us. Latinos have had an extremely hard time finding a sense of belonging in the Midwest and we shouldn’t be putting negative pressure on them when they are already going through probably the most difficult time in their lives. It is our job as human beings to support each other and help others get through difficult times because if it was happening to us, we would want other people to come together and help us out. It is important that we try to help and support them with becoming citizens so they can make better wages to take care of their family. If we can do this, the economy and other citizens will benefit from it as well. I hope that others can learn the importance of prioritizing others and making everyone feel like they belong, regardless of if they can present to you the proper documentation.

        Works Cited

Duncan, Brian. Hotz, Joseph. Trejo Stephen. Hispanics and the Future of America. NCBI. National Academy of Sciences. 2006.

Reyes, Yosimar, director. SharetheUndocuJoy. Define American, 22 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=56&v=V1kkdBjASfc&feature=emb_logo.

Vega, Sujey. Latino Heartland: of Borders and Belonging in the Midwest. New York University University, 2015.