This piece was selected as a runner-up in the New York Times Open Letter Contest. Congratulations, Nelson!
To the Esteemed Members of Congress,
I walk through the neighborhood and see newly-migrated Guatemalans cutting lawns and delivering pizzas. I see Hispanic kids running around, smiling. I see joy and hard work—determined people fighting for their right to the American Dream. Yet, many politicians see an “invasion” threatening our nation’s stability.
They focus on a few criminals, distorting those accounts to scare the American people into believing immigrants are nothing but drug dealers and criminals. They claim immigrants are stealing jobs, destroying the economy, and hurting average Americans. This narrative is false and dangerous.
Before challenging these beliefs, I want to highlight the story of my father. He moved here undocumented, worked as a landscaper, and eventually started his own business. He became a citizen after twelve years. His journey mirrors the hard work of many immigrants who contribute to this country.
Growing up, I learned about American history with my father and proudly watched him at the naturalization ceremony. As the child of an immigrant, I take personal offense to the claims about migrants. I have been surrounded by immigrants full of pride and hope for this country. When I see signs reading, “Go back to your country,” I wish those people could get to know the immigrants around them. If only they could see the humanity behind the headlines.
A common anti-immigration argument is that migrants harm the economy, but the reality is that Hispanic migrants significantly boost financial growth. Immigrant labor increases the U.S. GDP and helps reduce inflation. Without immigrants, industries like construction, agriculture, and services would struggle. Immigration is not a burden; it sustains our economy.
Additionally, immigrant households statistically pay more taxes relative to their spending than American citizens.¹ They contribute more than they take, funding public services that benefit everyone. The problem is not immigration, but the myths and falsehoods that divide us. Misinformation breeds division; facts foster unity.
The term “invasion” was once confined to right-wing circles but has now spread more widely.² This harmful rhetoric dehumanizes immigrants, setting up divisions between families and American citizens. ICE has been criticized for detaining documented immigrants based purely on race.
In recent raids, agents questioned Navajo residents over their documentation.³ Racial profiling has no place in a fair immigration system and cannot be the basis for future policies. Congress must pass laws that ban racial profiling, protect immigrant rights, and provide a clear path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Every day of inaction undermines American values.
Future policies should provide pathways to citizenship, stronger protections against racial profiling, and resources for immigrant integration. The Statue of Liberty’s plaque reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” When will we fully embrace this freedom and the American Dream?
Thank you,
Nelson Cordón