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Immigrants Don’t Always Have Privileges We Take For Granted

While we often discuss privileges like wealth, travel, or race, we rarely acknowledge two everyday privileges: job security and stable housing. Most people take this for granted, but many undocumented and documented immigrants lack these necessities. Imagine having to have those two privileges ripped away from you just because you’re not from the U.S. That is what immigrants go through daily. 

Having job security, a stable home, and a community are basic human rights. People shouldn’t have to fear that the government will take that away from them for no reason. Everyone needs and deserves them to live the best lives they can with their families. Lacking these fundamental rights hurts families and the economy.

Immigrants have much more to lose than people from the U.S., especially in the current political climate.

They have so much to fear, with ICE just around the corner, racially profiling and deporting thousands of people. This whole situation is horrific for everyone. Immigrants can do everything legal and right, yet people will still tell them they’re not enough, that they don’t belong here, and that they have to go back to their country.  

But immigrants come here for many reasons. Many are families that immigrated to the U.S. for better lives. They have a life established here for decades, roots firmly planted, and their dream life. But then, all of a sudden, the government takes that life away for no reason at all.

For people with disabilities, we have to be cautious about how and when we spend our money. Because of that, we appreciate it differently than society does. And immigrants face similar issues. For immigrants already here, earning a living is a lifeline. Many regularly send money back to their families in their home countries.

Most people don’t have to worry about, or even think about, how the government can take away their ability to earn a living. Yet, in 2025, our current administration does that whenever they feel like it. If you look like you might speak Spanish, if you look like you’re a nonwhite immigrant, ICE could come for you and take away everything you’ve built here in the US.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” We associate these words with the Statue of Liberty and its promise of hope, freedom, and opportunity for those seeking a new life – all values that also apply to immigrants.

We need to remember these words constantly, especially now. Many of us take certain privileges for granted, and housing and employment are two of them. But others don’t see them as privileges – instead, they’re chances for a better life. 

Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash

8 COMMENTS

  1. This article raises an important point about forms of privilege that often go unnoticed. Stable housing, employment, and a sense of security are things many people rarely think about until they are threatened. I appreciate how the piece encourages readers to consider the experiences of immigrant families and the uncertainty many face.

  2. The focus on job security and housing stability is particularly powerful because these are fundamental parts of daily life. The article does a good job highlighting how quickly stability can feel fragile for people living under uncertainty.

  3. I appreciate the article’s emphasis on the human side of immigration. Discussions about policy can sometimes overlook the personal realities faced by families, workers, and communities. The point that many immigrants have spent years building lives, careers, and support networks is especially important.

  4. The discussion about immigrants building lives, careers, and communities over many years is particularly compelling. It highlights how much effort and commitment often go into creating a sense of belonging and stability.

  5. I appreciate the article’s focus on everyday realities rather than abstract concepts. Employment, housing, and community support are essential components of a stable life, and it’s important to recognize how access to those opportunities can vary.

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