How a company and Reno family are threatened by Trump’s immigration program – Sierra Nevada’s ally

When Lalo first arrived in Renault, all he had was a small backpack, carrying the weight of his 40 -year life in Mexico. He left behind his wife and daughter, as the cost of living of three family was higher than what he could do as a driver and his daughter was about to start a college. Seven years later, he still feels as scared as this first day – honest he is forced to go back. Although he has learned to live with these feelings of anxiety, President Donald Trump’s promise to start “the biggest operation to deport massively in American history has regained his oldest fears.

Lalo is one of 45.3 million immigrants who have moved to the United States in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. They make up nearly 14% of the US population, and it is these people Trump threatens to remove from the country. His immigration program has promised to expand deportation operations and use military resources to strengthen border protection, reduce the ways for legal migration, and even resume the construction of the US border wall and Mexico. His executive order to terminate the citizenship of Birthright is temporarily blocked by a federal judge who says the action “bumps the mind.”

Although many of his promises are unconstitutional, immigrants across the country are afraid to leave their houses.

“We’re afraid. Every time I have to go out, I pray to God – “God, God, let me return home safely. You are leaving home without knowing if you will be able to return, “Lalo said.

Cold and homeless

Lalo has built a new life in Renault and fortunately is not alone. His brother Fernando has been in the United States for over 24 years. He came when he was only 20 years old and at that time worked every job he could find – in hotels, pizza, in a bar and in Chile – – earning just over $ 7 a day plus tips.

“When I decided to leave Chile, there was not much work I could do, so I had to sleep on the street. I remember being out of the winter in the winter. It was my home, “Fernando recalls.

Just like Fernando, Lalo’s first years were cold. His “house” was a big camper that his brother occupies him.

“The heater doesn’t work here, so we had to use space heaters. In the more cold months it will become really cold. When it is raining or when the snow begins to melt, the water will penetrate inside. I had to support the mattress so that it wouldn’t get wet. “

Contrary to the general misconception, the “American Dream” does not always seem like wealth, job opportunities or easier life. For many immigrants, this means physical and mental demanding jobs, language barriers, low salaries, dealing with anti -immigrant sentiment and lack of fundamental human rights, such as access to health or home.

“I can tell you from personal experience that we are in a disadvantage,” Fernando said. “As for health problems, we cannot miss work – our employers expect us to be there seven days a week from 7 to 3:30 pm. They do not care if you are sick or not. And it’s difficult because most construction jobs do not offer advantages because they are all small companies. “

On top of that, global challenges such as climate change affected these communities most difficult, as they often have less resources to adapt and mitigate the harm. Lalo and his brother, for example, had to work outdoors for years in Renault, the fastest warming town in the United States, risking heat stroke and other heat-related diseases. Exceptional heat, although not discussed as much as other natural disasters such as hurricanes or fires, kills more people a year than any other danger associated with time.

However, these struggles are still worth it when it comes to helping their families at home.

“We don’t steal your jobs”

Immigrants are often blamed for “theft of jobs of American citizens”. But Lalo and Fernando have joined the workforce in ways that drive the local and national economy. They played roles that many Americans often do not want to take, contributing to industries that support the nation to move forward.

“We didn’t come here to steal work. We do the work that no one else wants to do. We have no holidays, we have no weekends, and the jobs we occupy are physically and mentally demanding. Without the Latin American workforce, this country would not be the same, “Lalo says.

According to the New York Migration Center (CMS), 29.1 million US workers are immigrants or about 18.6% of the total labor force. This includes 8.3 million undocumented workers who make up 5.2% of the workforce. They work mainly in construction, restaurants, agriculture, farms and landscaping, contributing significantly to taxes, social security and Medicare systems.

After years of changing work and improving the skill set, Lalo and Fernando have found a way in construction. Fernando took 14 years working in various construction positions to finally take the risk and try to start its own company.

Fernando switched from an employee to getting up an employer, providing jobs for 30 workers with the founding of his own company. It now creates opportunities for others, stimulates the local economy by generating employment, buying resources from local business and contributing to taxes.

Instead of “theft of jobs,” he created more.

“When I first came here, I had nothing. I didn’t even speak the language. It was a difficult trip, but it’s worth it because now I can help others. And I am very grateful for the people who work with me. I may be the owner of the company and have a lot of work, but if I don’t have them, I have nothing. “

Lalo, in addition to working with his brother, is an active member of the cultural scene of Renault. He is a dancer and instructor in several academies and actively participates in social events that attract tourists, strengthening the local economy of academies, bars and restaurants, including the public market Reno.

The Trump Administration’s Immigration Program threatens countless lives of people like these brothers, immigrants who contribute to economic growth and cultural enrichment in a country that is proud of being a global center. Removing them can lead to a national failure, which extends far beyond labor shortages, inflation and economic losses.