Study reveals the importance of undocumented workers amid global pandemic

The Trump administration’s effort to reduce immigration has instilled fear, anguish and concern among immigrant communities in the US, especially among those who are undocumented.

Despite the intention of the current administration to detain undocumented immigrants and initiate mass deportation proceedings under the premise of protecting American workers, undocumented foreigners are essential to overcome the economic crisis brought by the global Coronavirus pandemic, mainly because they normally work in important sectors during the health emergency.

In fact, on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, the bipartisan organization FWD.US released a report called “Immigrant Essential Workers are Crucial to America’s COVID-19 Recovery.” Broadly speaking, the study reveals the role that undocumented workers play in the midst of the global pandemic and their impact to overcome the current crisis.

The data analyzed were taken from the American Community Survey (2019), conducted by the US Census Bureau. FWD.US linked this information to the number of undocumented foreigners working in important sectors, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), during the health crisis. It refers to sectors such as the food supply chain, the healthcare system, agriculture, and commercial transportation services.

The main findings of the report reveal that:

• There are approximately 5.2 million undocumented immigrants working in essential sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 69% of undocumented workers are essential to overcome the current crisis.
• The study estimates that 1 in 5 essential workers is an undocumented foreigner.
• Undocumented workers represent 11% of the nation’s farmers, who bring food to the tables of American families.

FWD.US states that “Their sacrifices have kept America going through the pandemic (…) It’s time to provide legal certainty to those on the frontlines.” Adding to that, the bipartisan organization assures that if the local government does not offer legal opportunities to essential undocumented workers and restructures the immigration system, that would only affect the American population that benefits from foreign workforce.

Other studies also reveal the importance of undocumented immigrants

This is not the first study to show the impact of foreign workforce and its great contribution to the socioeconomic development of the US.

In fact, in one of our most recent articles, we talk about a research conducted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), which reveals that the role of undocumented workers is absolutely necessary for the US to overcome the health and economic crisis, taking into account that it is still the main epicenter of the pandemic.

CAP also states that they need a path to legal documentation, or even citizenship, since they have been essential workers during the current juncture and, who, with dedication and effort, have helped the country through these times of global crisis.

Therefore, the local government must thoroughly analyze the repercussions of reducing immigration or deporting essential undocumented workers, and what are the repercussions of making decisions on the immigration system based on political ideals rather than official data and figures.

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