Back in 2022, I became the first Latina chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Working to move our great state forward and ignite political engagement across Illinois’ Latino community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Watching Donald Trump’s administration attack Latino immigrants during his first term, locking young children in cages and separating families, and now watching his new White House prepare to target immigrants, is heartbreaking.
Based on the promise of upcoming Immigrant and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago and calls to end birthright citizenship, the far right seems hellbent on an America that admonishes a creed tied to our nation’s past and present, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
As someone who has worked for nearly 20 years in the Illinois General Assembly to uplift immigrant communities, I know that “tired” has a face — whether it be a married couple who run a bakery that has become a neighborhood’s cultural staple or the parent struggling to learn English while she works tirelessly to earn a living for their toddler.
“Poor” has dreams — whether it be the DACA recipient who’s the first person in their family to go to college or the parents who raised them to value their education. And because of Trump, the “masses” have more anxiety than ever, to the point of no longer sitting in church pews out of fear of mass deportations.
Immigrants contribute to our economy, culture, community
Both documented and undocumented immigrants play a significant role in powering key industries in our state, from manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and construction. Both groups have been on the receiving end of the far right’s vitriol, and both fe
ar the Trump administration’s next steps. Those Illinois residents too afraid to pray in person together are just a handful of the 1.8 million immigrants — 14% of the state’s population —who call Illinois home and contribute immensely to its prosperity. In fact, in 2022, immigrants, regardless of documentation status, paid over $24 billion in federal, state, and local taxes and had a combined spending power of $61 billion. Immigrants make up 18% of the Illinois labor force, including 25% of entrepreneurs, 26% of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workers, and 19% of nurses.
These residents of Illinois are beyond symbols of that once-cherished creed about America accepting those earnestly trying to create a better life for themselves. Immigrant communities have given us their tired days, powered our economy, and have breathed immeasurable culture, heritage and community into this state.
For years, those in Trump’s orbit have repeatedly stressed opinions that people who are working class, of color, or come from immigrant families are “less than.” Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, guaranteed ICE raids in Chicago. Trump has campaigned on xenophobia-based immigration reform while simultaneously shutting down a bipartisan and common sense deal to address our southern border. And some Illinois lawmakers, at best, stay silent and at worst, dismiss or share in the racism.
Illinois legislators have a long track record of organizing and enacting policy to protect immigrants and vulnerable residents, including those who have made it their life’s work. We must do everything in our power to defend the federal Constitution, uphold state law, and maintain the progress we’ve achieved. When we work toward that, we continue to position Illinois as a welcoming home for immigrant families seeking a better future.
We cannot allow the far right to pretend that immigrants aren’t or shouldn’t be a part of the fabric of this nation or of Illinois. I’m reminded of another famous line, this time from the 44th president of the United States: “My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.”
State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez represents the 2nd House district and is the House deputy majority leader. She also is chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
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