“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
Beneath the rubble of the collapsing economy, there are lives which may be lost in the silence. COVID-19 has brought the United States economy to its knees, but for undocumented people, the crisis means absolute destitution. If drastic measures and supports are not offered immediately, this country will be responsible for the lives of the estimated 11 million undocumented people and their children, many of whom are U.S.-born citizens.
The coming humanitarian crisis stems from another major crisis—the utter failure to offer any semblance of human rights to the workers that hold up key sectors of U.S. capitalism. Since the general strike of May 1, 2006 when millions chanted in unison the slogan, “Amnesty NOW! Full Rights for All Immigrants!” politicians, community leaders and everything in between have been unable and unwilling to approach anything close to the strike’s demand.
In San Francisco and California with our proud progressive political outlook, lives of undocumented people are acknowledged and thanked, but nothing more. They ask, “What about people who are undocumented?” YES! What about them?!
There are not enough “Go Fund Me” pages, mutual aid listservs and non-profits for the over 11 million undocumented people who account for 9 percent of the workforce in California alone. All the support being offered should be appreciated, but it doesn’t replace the crucial need for swift acknowledgement of worker and human rights. With legal status, undocumented people can advocate for themselves and their families without needing to ask for help first.
Undocumented people don’t depend on charity, they depend on their work. As does this country. So much so, that every year, undocumented immigrants pay $11 billion in local and state taxes. They contribute $13 billion to retirement accounts, the same accounts sustaining the most vulnerable population during this pandemic. It is their sweat that is putting food on the table for every single household. Now, as the virus shreds the already weak U.S. capitalist economy, undocumented workers have no opportunity left to make money.
The tree has fallen and the monumental tragedy is that people heard it, see it, acknowledge it but are simply stepping over it.
The humanitarian crisis for undocumented people is about to explode. This is a start of a conversation so that we are prepared to give our voice, resources and privilege to the coming fight. As a starting point, here are some action steps to be taken immediately:
- Declare an immediate humanitarian crisis for undocumented immigrants.
- Grant full rights and benefits to the undocumented that other workers are entitled to or should be receiving in this COVID-19 crisis.
- Seek support from all humanitarian agencies, national and international, to create the infrastructure to provide emergency temporary shelter and social welfare programs.
- As housing and shelter is being setup, temporary access should be granted for vehicles of undocumented immigrants to park overnight in country, state and national parks.
- Cease all ICE proceedings and procedures related to deportation and incarceration of undocumented immigrants.
- Release all people, especially children, from ICE detention centers. Stop the terrorizing police treatment of our brothers and sisters.
- Grant union rights and membership to all undocumented immigrants considered “essential workers.”
- Immediately raise the salaries and improve working conditions to match COVID-19 health recommendations for the hundreds of thousands of undocumented farm workers.
- Bail out the people, Not Wall Street.
Much more will be needed. Add your voice in support.