The Backbone of America: Immigrant Workers and Their Lasting Impact

I’ve been thinking a lot about immigration lately. My grandmother came to this country with literally $8 in her pocket back in 1952, so maybe that’s why the topic hits close to home. Whatever the reason, I wanted to dig into the reality of immigrant labor in America today—beyond the talking points and politics.

A Nation Built by Immigrants

It’s almost a cliché to say America is a nation of immigrants, but the truth is, it’s impossible to tell the story of American economic development without acknowledging the central role immigrant workers have played. From the Irish and Chinese workers who built our railroads to the Mexican and Central American workers who harvest our food today, immigrant labor has always been essential.

Look around any major city—the construction crews rebuilding infrastructure, the staff at your favorite restaurants, the people caring for children and the elderly. Immigrants make up a huge part of these workforces, often taking jobs that would otherwise go unfilled.

By the Numbers

Some quick facts that surprised me during my research:

• Immigrants make up about 17% of the U.S. workforce but represent higher percentages in specific industries
• Nearly 70% of all farmworkers are foreign-born
• Immigrants start small businesses at rates higher than native-born Americans
• In 2019 alone, immigrant-led households paid over $330 billion in federal taxes

But numbers only tell part of the story.

The Reality on the Ground

Last month, I spent some time talking with construction workers in Houston. Jorge (not his real name) has been working in construction for 15 years. He arrived from El Salvador in 2008 and spent years sending money back home to support his parents and siblings.

“We do the hardest jobs, the ones nobody wants,” he told me while we shared lunch on a hot Texas afternoon. “But I’m proud of what I build. My hands have built hospitals, schools, homes where American families live.”

Jorge’s story isn’t unusual. Many immigrants work multiple jobs, often for lower wages and in tougher conditions than their American-born counterparts. Many lack basic protections due to their immigration status.

The Economic Impact

Despite common misconceptions, most economists agree that immigration creates a net positive effect on the U.S. economy. Immigrants don’t just take jobs—they create them.

Think about it: immigrants are consumers too. They rent apartments, buy groceries, purchase cars, and pay for services. All of this creates demand that leads to more jobs.

Plus, many industries would simply collapse without immigrant labor. Our agricultural system depends heavily on immigrant workers. The hospitality industry, construction, healthcare, and elder care would all face severe shortages without immigrant labor.

The Challenges

Of course, it’s not all rosy. Undocumented workers especially face enormous challenges:

• Wage theft is rampant, with some employers taking advantage of workers’ vulnerable status
• Safety violations are common in industries with high immigrant employment
• Access to healthcare remains a major problem
• Fear of deportation creates constant stress and prevents many from reporting crimes or labor violations

I spoke with Maria, who works as a house cleaner in Los Angeles. She described having to leave her children alone while she worked because childcare was unaffordable. “The hardest thing isn’t the work,” she said. “It’s being away from my kids and knowing they’re alone.”

The Pandemic Effect

COVID-19 hit immigrant communities particularly hard. Many immigrants work in “essential” jobs that couldn’t be done remotely, putting them at higher risk of infection. At the same time, many were excluded from federal relief efforts.

In meatpacking plants across the Midwest, immigrant workers continued showing up even as infection rates soared. When I visited one community in Nebraska in 2021, nearly everyone knew someone who had died from COVID.

Yet these same workers kept our food supply chain intact during the crisis.

Beyond the Economics

There’s so much more to the immigrant experience than just work. The cultural contributions alone are immeasurable. Our music, food, art, and literature are all richer because of immigration.

In cities like New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles, immigrant communities have revitalized once-declining neighborhoods, opening businesses and creating vibrant cultural centers.

Moving Forward

I don’t pretend to have all the answers to our immigration debates. The issues are complex, and reasonable people can disagree about policy specifics.

But I do believe we need to acknowledge the tremendous contributions immigrant workers make to our economy and society. We need immigration policies that:

• Recognize the reality of our labor needs
• Provide pathways to legal status
• Protect vulnerable workers from exploitation
• Keep families together
• Acknowledge the humanity of all people, regardless of where they were born

After spending months researching this topic, I’ve come away with a deeper appreciation for the resilience and determination of immigrant workers. Their stories deserve to be told—not as political pawns, but as human beings whose labor and lives are woven into the fabric of American society.

My grandmother would have had a lot to say about today’s immigration debates. She believed in the promise of America but never forgot the struggles of being a newcomer. “In America,” she would say, “you can work hard and build something for your family. But you never forget where you came from.”

That wisdom seems more relevant than ever.

Note: This article reflects personal observations and research. Some names have been changed to protect privacy.