Community groups across the U.S. are actively resisting deportation policies and advocating for immigrant rights, emphasizing the vital role immigrants play in the economy.
In response to the Trump administration’s stringent deportation policies, community groups throughout the United States are rallying to advocate for immigrant rights and protections. Their message is clear: “No human being is illegal.”
These powerful slogans resonate deeply within the immigrant rights movement, echoing the sentiments of community activists across the nation. The deportation of immigrants has surged since the Trump administration took office, with reports detailing the shocking deportation of 104 Indians on a military plane in February 2025. To date, nearly 400 Indians have faced deportation.
Over recent months, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have detained several student activists involved in peaceful protests against the destruction of Gaza. The administration has invoked the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport nearly 300 immigrants to the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in El Salvador, a facility notorious for its harsh conditions.
ICE raids have targeted immigrant communities in various towns and cities across America. In Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, local residents banded together to support their neighbors and friends, demanding due process in the face of these aggressive actions.
Organizations dedicated to immigrant rights, along with legal advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are working tirelessly to halt deportations, and some courts have issued favorable rulings. The current U.S. population of approximately 342 million includes 53.3 million immigrants, with around 15 million classified as undocumented, often referred to disparagingly as illegal immigrants, according to a January report from the Center for Immigration Studies.
Activists are raising critical questions about who truly contributes to the wealth of the U.S. economy and performs the most challenging jobs. Immigrant workers are recognized as the backbone of the economy, a sentiment echoed at a recent seminar titled “Union and Community Activists Unite for Immigrant Rights,” organized by the Boston South Asian Coalition at the Cambridge Community Center in Massachusetts. The discussions held at this event remain relevant as the issues surrounding immigrant rights continue to escalate.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry employs approximately eight million workers, with 1.6 million of them being immigrants, representing 20% of the workforce. A report from the University of Michigan highlights that in cities like New York, immigrant workers make up 63% of construction workers, with 40% being undocumented. Furthermore, undocumented immigrant workers face a significantly higher incidence of work-related injuries, with rates 30% higher than those of native-born workers.
The agricultural sector also relies heavily on immigrant labor, contributing 0.8% to the GDP, which amounts to $222 billion. The combined agriculture and food-related industries account for 5.5% of the GDP, totaling $1.53 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2023. Remarkably, 73% of farm workers are immigrants, with half of them being undocumented.
In the care economy, which includes roles such as nannies, cleaners, and personal care assistants, an estimated 300,000 workers are undocumented, as reported by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, noted that foreign-born workers constitute over 30% of non-direct care staff in long-term care facilities, emphasizing their crucial role in maintaining quality care.
The meatpacking industry, known for its hazardous working conditions, employs over 500,000 workers across the country. This sector heavily relies on H-2A and H-2B visa programs to fill jobs, as reported by the American Immigration Council. A 2024 report by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) revealed that 5,486 workers died on the job in 2022, with 1,248 of those fatalities involving Latino workers, 60% of whom were immigrants.
Community leaders and union activists are calling for organized efforts to combat the attacks on immigrants and all workers. Amrita Dani from the Boston Teachers Union emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, “Teachers and other organized workers can and should organize without fear with members of the community.”
She highlighted the legacy of International Workers Day, honoring the millions of immigrants who participated in demonstrations in May 2006. Evan MacKay, a Boston-based labor leader, pointed out that while contracts can secure victories, active enforcement by the workers is essential to ensure that legal agreements translate into real protections.
Heloisa Galvao, Executive Director of the Brazilian Women’s Group in Boston, shared the growing fears within the Brazilian community, where individuals are hesitant to attend doctor’s appointments, go to work, or send their children to school. This panic has resulted in devastating income losses, leading to increased rates of homelessness and food insecurity.
Galvao advocates for collective action to protect immigrant workers and their families, striving to create a just world for all. The rallying cries of “Hum Ladenge aur Aum Jeetenge!” (We will fight and win!) and “Si Si Puede” (Yes, yes, we can!) reflect the determination of union activists and community organizers from diverse backgrounds to ensure the safety and rights of immigrants.
As the fight for immigrant rights continues, it is clear that solidarity among workers and families is essential, regardless of immigration status. The ongoing efforts of community groups and activists highlight the critical role immigrants play in the fabric of American society.
Source: Original article