Immigrants:
A underrepresented
group in the workplace
Foreign-born workers made up 17.4 percent of labor force in 2019
33.9%
MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL
22.5%
SERVICE INDUSTRY
13.4%
NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE
15.5%
OFFICE AND SALES
(Foreign-born workers made up 17.4 percent of labor force in 2019 2020)
OUR STORY
As an immigrant student and HR professional, I identified myself as an underrepresented group in the workplace. The goal of this website is to bring awareness to the workforce and professionals in the industry. With the increase for diversity and equality in the workplace, immigrants need to be part of the commitment to acquired the same basic needs and opportunities as others.
To me, Diversity, Equity, and inclusion (DEI) means giving immigrants the opportunity to thrive in this make believe "utopia". When it comes to equity, immigrants face many challenges that many Americans don't understand. Immigrants come from oppressed countries, corrupt governments, and poverty, and often not given the opportunity to improve their quality of living even after working long hours. Let's put a stop to the believe that immigrants only come to America to "steal jobs" when the case is that most just want the opportunity of providing a better life for their families.
Yes, there's some "bad apples" just like there is bad apples with any race, culture, identity, but is not until we break those stereotypes and barriers that we would be able to understand and include immigrants to our diversified workplace.
Is important to advocate for immigrants as an individual and as an organization. Immigrants most often don't know what their rights are as illegal or legal immigrant in the workplace. Organizations and individuals tent to take advantage of their situation to force them to work under hazardous conditions, often without any benefits, and less then minimal wages. Whether is a communication barrier or lack of education, we as DEI professionals should assist and stand with immigrants to provide them the resources to understand and stand for their rights.
"Foreign-born workers were less likely than native-born workers to be employed in management, professional, and related occupations (33.9 percent compared with 42.2 percent) "
(Foreign-born workers made up 17.4 percent of labor force in 2019 2020)
Many immigrants working in America are mistreated on the job. They are given un unfair wages, denied safety equipment and can be threatened with deportation.
Each year, thousands of immigrants come into the country to seek a better life. Unfortunately, life is not always easy for newcomers to America. They often face discrimination, prejudice and language and social barriers. It may be particularly difficult for foreigners to find good jobs in America or to be treated fairly by their employers.
Those who come to the country from elsewhere contribute a great deal toward America’s economy and job force. They pay taxes and perform needed jobs, and some may start businesses and open up jobs for others. However, many immigrants, particularly undocumented workers, face discrimination and abuse from their employers.
Employer abuse against undocumented immigrants is inhumane (How might immigrants face inequality on the job?).
Many employers take advantage of the vulnerability of undocumented workers. Often, they pay their workers under the table and do not offer a fair wage. They may force them to work a longer-than-usual work day for little pay. In some cases, foreign workers are not compensated for their jobs at all. Those who work in dangerous industries that are common for immigrants, such as agriculture or construction, may not be properly trained in safety measures and standards, and may not be given protective equipment to prevent them from getting hurt. They could also be forced to put up with racial discrimination and sexual harassment on the job. If they complain about safety, ask for better wages or the right to join a union, their employers might terminate their jobs, withhold pay or threaten to call immigration officials. Therefore, countless immigrants could be put in danger and mistreated because of the fear of deportation or a lack of knowledge about their rights (How might immigrants face inequality on the job?).
Those who work in America should have basic rights to be given a fair wage and treated with dignity, including undocumented workers. It may be necessary to speak with an experienced immigration attorney if being mistreated by an employer.
Glossary:
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Deportation: The removal from a country of an alien whose presence is unlawful or prejudicial.
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Discrimination: The practice of unfairly treating a person or group of people differently from other people or groups of people.
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Pay under the table: To give a worker payment that is not officially documented and has not been taxed.
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Sexual Harassment: Uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature especially by a person in authority toward a subordinate (such as an employee or student)
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Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act of 2020: Would direct the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study examining the barriers to employment opportunities for immigrants and refugees in the United States who have international degrees or credentials.
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Dream Act: This bipartisan bill would provide Dreamers – young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives – with protection from deportation and an opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet certain requirements.
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DACA:Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a kind of administrative relief from deportation. The purpose of DACA is to protect eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States when they were children from deportation.DACA gives young undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program expires after two years, subject to renewal.
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H-1B:The H1B visa is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa for temporary workers. For this visa, an employer must offer a job in the US and apply for your H1B visa petition with the US Immigration Department. This approved petition is a work permit which allows you to obtain a visa stamp and work in the U.S. for that employer.
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Human trafficking: Involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States.
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Foreign: Born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration. Alien in character : not connected or pertinent.
Citations:
How might immigrants face inequality on the job? (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.ozmentlaw.com/articles/how-might-immigrants-face-inequality-on-the-job/
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Deportation. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deportation
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Discrimination. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discrimination
pay under the table. (n.d.) Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. (2015). Retrieved March 11 2021 from https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/pay+under+the+table
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Sexual harassment. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexual%20harassment
Bill summary: Improving opportunities for New Americans act of 2020. (2020, September 18). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://immigrationforum.org/article/bill-summary-improving-opportunities-for-new-americans-act-of-2020/
Dream act of 2019: Bill summary. (2019, March 28). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://immigrationforum.org/article/dream-act-of-2019-bill-summary/
What is daca? (2019, September 25). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://students.wustl.edu/what-is-daca/
What is H1b visa? (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.path2usa.com/what-is-h1b-visa
What is human trafficking? (2020, December 18). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Foreign. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 17, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign
LEARN MORE
STATISTICAL DATA
In 2019, foreign-born workers continued to be more likely than native-born workers to be employed in service occupation.
Foreign Born
Native Born
MANAGEMENT
33.9%
42.2%
22.5%
16%
SERVICE
SALES AND OFFICE
22.4%
15.5%
13.4%
8.2%
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance
14.7%
11.2%
Production, transportation, and material moving
Jeanne Batalova Jeanne Batalova, M. (2021, February 11). Frequently requested statistics on immigrants and immigration in the United States. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states-2020
In FY 2020, the annual number of nonimmigrant visas issued by the State Department decreased for the fourth time since 2015, to 4 million—a 54 percent decline from the 8.7 million issued in FY 2019.
Seventy-one percent of the 4 million nonimmigrant visas issued in FY 2020 were temporary business and tourist visas (B and BCC visas). The next largest visa class was for temporary workers and trainees and their family members (H visa categories), who comprised 12 percent of nonimmigrant visas issued in FY 2020. The third largest group was for academic students and exchange visitors and their family members (F and J visa categories), who comprised 6 percent of nonimmigrant visas.
In addition to the Trump administration’s travel ban, which was extended to six other countries in early 2020, the sharp decline in nonimmigrant visa issuances in FY 2020 can be attributed to the worldwide slowdown in mobility amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the administration’s accompanying immigration restrictions. On June 22, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation suspending the issuance of certain nonimmigrant visas. This proclamation applied to H-1B visas (for temporary workers in specialty occupations), H-2B visas (for nonagricultural workers), certain J visas (for exchange visitors), and L visas (for intracompany transferees), as well as visas issued to the dependents of these nonimmigrants.
Jeanne Batalova Jeanne Batalova, M. (2021, February 11). Frequently requested statistics on immigrants and immigration in the United States. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states-2020
In most recent years Human Sex trafficking awareness has shined a light at the urgent need to recognize labor trafficking and identify the signs in and outside the workplace. Everyday thousands of children and adults are mislead into sex trafficking and forced labor by family members and others closed to them. Companies can be proactive by bringing awareness to employees and having close communication and a open door policy to allow anyone to come forward with any information. Whether the employee or someone they know needs help, managers can provide them the resources that otherwise they might not know they have.
2019 Data Report on Labor Trafficking
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
Top 5 Risk Factors/Vulnerabilities for Trafficking Victimization
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
2019 U.S. National human trafficking Hotline Statistics. (2020, November 12). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://polarisproject.org/2019-us-national-human-trafficking-hotline-statistics/
Anaejionu, R. (2017, November 21). Inclusion strategies for immigrants in the workplace. Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/inclusion-strategies-immigrants-workplace-10310.html
I didn't open up about my nationality until recent years.
Some inclusive practices I can suggest for hiring managers and supervisors in the work place is recognizing that immigrants might not all come from the same level of literacy and opportunities. This is not to say they aren't smart but learning can be different from place to place. This is where equity comes into place.
Some candidates may have better communication skills, but it would be wise to not judge candidates by how efficiently an extensive their vocabulary is. Identifying when candidates may come from and focusing on their abilities and skills.
Today, I still have trouble with grammar, is just something that is more difficult for individuals that learn English at a later age. Identifying and accommodating individuals at an early stage in their career can avoid embarrassing them or making them feel like they are not capable to write or communicate. Providing ongoing training and development will also aid their ability to grow and feel as part of the workplace and organization.
I was brought to the United States when I was 11 years old. I left many friends behind that today, I can't hardly recall their names. I still remember the day my parents told us we were coming to America. It was the day before independence day in Mexico. I remember it vividly because we had a festival at school and I was devastated that I was going to miss it. That same month, 9/11 happened. Is not until today, that I'm realizing that's when it happened, and the reason why my parents were in such rush for us to leave. Months prior to us leaving, my parents had gone through they process of getting our whole family visas in order to travel legally to they United States, but due to 9/11 they we're afraid the government would revoke our visas or block traveling.
Fast-forward to my first day in school, Imagine starting school in the middle of the year at a new school, with no friends, not a word of English, or how the school system worked in America. To say that I felt lost was an understatement!
It wasn't until high school that I became more familiar with school. By that time I was fluent in English. Yet, I was still behind compared to others, I didn't know I could be in AP classes until my sophomore year, I didn't know what SATs were, I had no knowledge of what the process was to attend college. My parents didn't know ether.
Today, 20 years later, I'm about to graduate with a bachelors in Human Resources. It took me 13 years to graduate! I had many jobs, from babysitting to admin jobs. I took classes here and there, but it wasn't until recently that I realized that I needed a degree if I ever wanted to move up in the work place. Yet, I still feel like I have disadvantages.
I feel intimidated when other professionals can communicate effectively and I still find it difficult to come up with certain words when I speak. I feel like I'm still not capable to handle high management and supervisor positions even when I been working in the field for over 10 years.
This is my own immigrant story.
Sincerely,
Yadira Batres
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Employee Resource Groups (ERG) are employee-led, voluntary groups that join together based on common interests, backgrounds or demographic to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. These groups provide safe, neutral spaces for employees at all levels to share common interests, discuss issues or challenges, offer developmental opportunities, and to brainstorm strategies and solutions that will support diversity and inclusion goals. By allowing immigrants to create ERGs of one or more groups they will feel included and free to express themselves and contribute to the overall state of the organization.
RESOURCES LIBRARY
IMMIGRANTS BREAKING BARRIERS
From Cleaning Lady To Director For NASA, This Latina Immigrant Just Put A Rover On Mars
"Every single thing that I do, I'm representing my country, my culture, my heritage, my people, and I have to give my best every single time."
Student Story: Luisa Castañeda-Cano
"We will always be known as second class citizens."
What if you were an immigrant?
"Because I came here when I was 14, I was able to understand what is like to be an American, yet still be an immigrant."
Literature of Interest
Belonging: The Key to Transforming and Maintaining Diversity, Inclusion and Equality at Work
Inclusive Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Developing and Executing an Impactful Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
My (Underground) American Dream: My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant Who Became a Wall Street Executive