“America is, always has been, and always will be a Nation of immigrants. It was the premise of our founding; it is reflected in our Constitution; it is etched upon the Statue of Liberty — that “from her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome.”
That is how President Joe Biden’s Proclamation on National Immigrant Heritage Month 2021 starts.
Of the 328.2 million people living in the United States of America, 85.7 million of them (approximately 26%) are immigrants. Today it is estimated that 20% of the US population, or around 60 million people, are of Latino origin. Of these, 11 million have been waiting for years to be able to regularize their immigration status in order to continue their lives and that of their families. They include DACA recipients, agricultural-farm labor workers (which made 92% of them), TPS recipients, and DREAMers.
As Latino immigrants who have come to this country with suitcases loaded not only with dreams, hopes, and culture but also with the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen to us and our families we are very grateful that President Biden and Vice President Harris are shining the spotlight on our situation. The same situation which 11 million people are currently experiencing, waiting for the legalization of their legal status in the United States. Those 11 million people are here, they work, they are productive, and they move the economy. Many of them are front-line workers who are indispensable for the country to progress. They have been vital during the time of the pandemic and many of them have suffered illness and even death due to COVID-19.
Latinos are hardworking and resilient people. We are grateful people who have the privilege to call the United States our home as well as that of our children. 11 million latinos have spent more than 20 years waiting for a law that would allow them a clear path to residency and citizenship. Recently, Venezuelans were granted the Temporary Protected Status benefit, or TPS, due to the humanitarian crisis they are experiencing in their home country and have now become a part of those Latinos waiting for the approval of immigration laws that allow them to live without uncertainty.
When it comes to immigrants each story is unique, but they all have the common desire to work, to build a better future, and to live our American dream.
May this National Immigrant Heritage Month serve to raise awareness of our stories, our cultures, our work, our commitment, and our legacy in this great country.
Home is here, and we are here to stay.