Inclusive Communities Endure

By Dulce Reyes

Thur October 23, 2025

Students of all ethnicities are obliged to pledge allegiance to the United States’ flag every single morning. A symbol of freedom, liberty, and justice. Of students enrolled in U.S. public schools, grades K-12, 14.4 million are Hispanic. These millions of students are seeing firsthand the effects of immigration legislation, raids, and deportations. Some of their parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and friends are being deported, arrested, and separated from their families by the agents, leaders, and legislators representing the flag they pledge to every day. This is not just in the news; it's here in our community, in the minds of all first, second, and third-generation immigrants.

First, it is important to recognize the importance and contributions of immigrants to the United States. Since the beginning, immigrants have significantly influenced, shaped, and constituted the United States. Today, Hispanics make up a fifth of the U.S. population and have been influential in shaping today’s culture and society.

Latin American culture has become widely accepted throughout the nation. First and foremost, language. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. Most businesses, companies, and establishments have adapted to accommodate Spanish speakers. The language is becoming prevalent, especially in the workforce. 

There are several other influential aspects of Latin American culture that have been incorporated into American culture. Music genres such as Salsa from Caribbean countries, and Reggaeton, which has emerged in Panama and Puerto Rico, have become popular nationwide. More recently, Mexican food has become a staple in the food industry. Tacos, burritos, guacamole, and churros have become well-known and have evolved to the point where they have acquired their own “American” style, toppings, and promotions such as Taco Tuesday. Traditions such as piñatas have also been incorporated into celebrations. Holidays such as Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos have also become popular and well-known in society. 

Hispanics have been contributing to the economy through agricultural labor for over a century. For generations, Hispanics have migrated to U.S. fields to harvest. Crop production, mainly including strawberry, corn, avocado, carrot, potato, and tomato fields, has long been worked by immigrant farmers. This labor is physically demanding and requires numerous long hours bent down under the sun and exposure to pesticides. Yet about 55,000 immigrant workers show up in California fields for the seasonal harvest each year. For years in the late 80s and early 90s, my grandfather was one of them. 

However, recent raids and protests have impacted the workforce in agriculture as well as local Mexican businesses and restaurants. Farmers are now looking to robots for field work due to immigration raids and labor shortages. People are afraid to go out, afraid to go to the store, to restaurants, and primarily to their jobs. Fields are empty. Restaurants are empty. Construction sites are empty. Households are filled with fear and worry. 

Mass deportations today echo the 1929 to 1936 mass deportations known as “Mexican Repatriation.” During this period, in the midst of the Great Depression, approximately 2 million people were deported to Mexico. 1.2 million of whom were United States-born citizens of Mexican descent. Yet hardworking immigrants have prevailed and continue to work in the United States. 

  The hardships of obtaining a legal status are many. It is extremely long, difficult, and expensive. A few months ago, my 14-year-old cousin and my aunt applied to renew their visa. Their request was pushed back to an appointment in November 2026. 

Immigrants face many other hardships, including financial instability. In some states, the average wage in Mexico is $4,790 Mexican Pesos monthly. That is approximately $239.50 USD. Because of this, immigrants come to the United States to provide for their families, sending all their earnings to Mexico. While this may be temporary or permanent, immigrants still pay federal, state, and local taxes. Tax contributions from immigrants have a significant impact on the economy.  As of 2023, immigrants collectively paid $652 billion in taxes. Yet they are excluded from tax benefits, including social security, health insurance, and income security, including food and household assistance. 

The situation we are living in today isn't new. There have always been protests, deportations, and arrests. However, violence has been continually escalating. This isn’t about immigrants being deported. It's about families being separated, children coming home from school to an empty home, elementary students being affected by tear gas on the streets, immigrants being deported to unknown countries that are not their native country, people’s cars being rammed into by federal agents, unarmed immigrants being arrested, beaten, and tackled by agents refusing to identify themselves. Federal agents are now profiling immigrants by race, language, appearance, and occupation. Diversity is no longer being embraced. Documented immigrants, residents, and citizens have begun to take careful precautions in case they’re detained. My mother, a U.S. citizen, carries her United States passport everywhere she goes. ICE agents have shown up at family friends’ work sites. No warrants, no motive, no suspicion. 

“Families are torn apart; men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.” -Diary of Anne Frank, January 13, 1943. This is a quote from Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who lived during the holocaust. Without context, it is an accurate representation of what is happening today to many families. 

However, in the midst of chaos, immigrants have received support from surrounding communities. ICE agent activity is reported all over social media and apps. Protestors and activists have also shown support for Hispanic communities and immigrants. Missionaries such as priests have also taken action. 

Father Gary, a priest at Our Lady of the Heights Parish in Chicago Heights, recently embarked on a journey in which he is walking on foot to the Statue of Liberty in prayer for immigrant children. He began his journey from Dolton, IL, where Pope Leo grew up, to New York. A journey of 810 miles. 

As of 2023, approximately 65.2 million of the U.S. population were Hispanics. That is 1 in every 5 people. It's not only immigrants with criminal records who are affected. Fear is instilled in families across the nation. For a long time, immigrants have come to the United States in hopes of a better future and better opportunities. They have become a fundamental part of society and major industries. Hard-working immigrants have sustained industries for decades. Hispanic culture is embedded in the country. Its language is becoming more prevalent. Hispanic last names are more common today. Generations of immigrants from all over the world have traveled to the United States in hopes of a brighter future. Today, the future and safety of many immigrants are compromised. As a daughter of two hardworking first-generation immigrants, I can assure you this is a reality in immigrant households. We want our families to be safe, we want our people to thrive, and we want hardworking immigrants who have been the foundation of many industries to be accepted and equally welcomed into a country they have worked hard for.