Undocumented immigrants in the United States face a unique set of struggles and challenges. In addition to having to live in constant fear of deportation, they also face discrimination and marginalization, which prevent them from advancing in life. Without the protections of legal status, they can’t access jobs that provide living wages or even receive basic medical care.

Defining “undocumented” and “immigrant” in the US

When talking about undocumented immigrants in the United States, it’s important to understand the terms being used. As defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an undocumented immigrant is an individual who is not authorized to live or work in the U.S. but who is living in the country without a valid visa, green card, or another valid status. These individuals have often entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas without permission from the government.

Furthermore, ‘immigrant’ refers to an individual who has left their home country and become a legal resident of another country for purposes of employment, education, family reunification, and more. Immigrants are granted visas that allow them to stay in the new country temporarily, with some gaining permanent residence and citizenship status if they meet certain criteria. It’s also important to note that although some immigrants enter the U.S. legally but become undocumented because they remain past the expiration date of their visas or other valid documents, many immigrants enter the U.S. without inspection or authorization from federal immigration authorities—in other words, illegally. It’s these individuals who are categorized as ‘undocumented.’

The Immediate Impacts of Being an Undocumented Immigrant

Undocumented immigrants face a variety of challenges, but some trends have emerged in recent years. Those who live in the country without authorization face several immediate impacts and challenges.

• For starters, many undocumented immigrants face difficulty obtaining employment. Without authorized status or a Social Security number, it can be incredibly difficult for undocumented immigrants to find stable, legal employment that pays well. This leads to them often accepting jobs with long hours and low pay—or even engaging in illegal activities that risk further criminalization.
• Access to education is limited for undocumented immigrants without proof of registration or identification. Being denied the opportunity to attend public schools only serves to aggravate their economic struggles as well as impede their ability to gain the skills needed for different types of work. Furthermore, healthcare is also difficult for these individuals due to the high costs associated with medical care and lack of insurance coverage.

Challenges Faced by Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.

Undocumented immigrants face a range of challenges in the United States due to their status and lack of legal rights. The most common struggles faced by immigrants are finding work, accessing health care, avoiding deportation, and managing social relations.

• Finding Work: Unemployment is a major obstacle for undocumented immigrants, leading to an unregulated underground economy that often does not provide adequate working conditions. Employers are reluctant to hire those without documentation due to the difficulty of verifying eligibility.
• Accessing Health Care: Undocumented immigrants are often unable to access adequate health care due to their status and lack of insurance coverage. This can lead to dire consequences as preventable illnesses can go untreated, causing people to suffer needlessly due to delayed diagnoses or inadequate treatment.
• Deportation: The threat of deportation looms large over undocumented immigrants in the US, with even minor offenses such as traffic violations potentially resulting in removal proceedings. This fear has been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s hardline stance against illegal immigration and its implementation of restrictive policies.

Working Rights for Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants in the United States do not have the same rights as U.S. citizens when it comes to employment, making it difficult for them to make a living in the country. Under federal law, only citizens and permanent residents can work legally in the United States. As a result, undocumented immigrants are often forced to work ‘under the table’ jobs—those that do not require any background checks or identification—where they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Comprehensive immigration reform is needed to protect workers and ensure fair labor practices in the US. Employers of undocumented immigrants may demand longer hours with no overtime pay, and workers cannot file a complaint without risking deportation.

Discrimination in Education, Employment, and Healthcare

Undocumented immigrants are particularly vulnerable to discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare.

1. Education: Undocumented immigrants face additional barriers to enrolling and succeeding in school, such as fear of increased scrutiny, detention, or deportation. They are also not allowed to apply for federal student aid or loans, making it difficult to pursue higher education opportunities.
2. Employment: Undocumented immigrants have limited job options due to their legal status. They can only work for an employer with a valid employment authorization document, and the risk of being fired or underemployed remains quite high. The lack of access to safe working conditions, fair wages, and labor protection makes for an increasingly hostile environment for undocumented workers.
3. Healthcare: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides healthcare coverage for all citizens, but does not extend this protection to undocumented individuals. This can lead to their fear of seeking care and lack of access to preventative care and necessary treatments due to inadequate resources or knowledge about available healthcare options.

Seeking Legal Status: Navigating the Immigration Process

Undocumented immigrants in the US face immense challenges in obtaining legal status. It is due to the complexity of the immigration system, which requires physical and financial resources that many lacks.

Undocumented immigrants must apply for protection and relief from deportation and have an employer or family sponsor them to gain legal status. Each option has its requirements, including filing fees and documents to prove eligibility.

The application process itself is complicated and lengthy, with decisions often taking months or years to be made. Immigrants must submit more paperwork and be questioned about their background and experiences in the US. Ultimately, a successful application is not guaranteed; even if all requirements are met, there is still a chance of denial. Undocumented immigrants have been able to gain permanent residency in the US due to increased awareness of available options and guidance from advocates.

The Social Support Available to Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants in the US face extreme hardship, but several organizations are working to provide much-needed assistance and social support. The American Friends Service Committee, for example, provides legal aid and assistance with naturalization processes to keep immigrants informed and empowered. Organizations like United We Dream offer educational resources, workshops, and community events to help empower youth migrants. Additionally, El Rescate Legal Services helps build partnerships between communities, universities, and legal service providers that support migrants in the US.

More broadly, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides comprehensive legal knowledge about immigration laws to help ensure that all undocumented immigrants are treated with dignity and respect. Meanwhile, the Immigrant Defense Project works closely with criminal defense lawyers to ensure that all migrants have access to fair representation and justice.

No matter their circumstances, these organizations work tirelessly to give immigrants a voice in the United States while providing adept social support services.

Understanding the Importance of Rights for Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants are among the most vulnerable populations in the United States. Without the proper documentation and rights, undocumented immigrants often struggle to access basic human necessities such as healthcare, education, legal counsel, and employment. Their lack of rights can also leave them exposed to exploitation and abuse from employers or other individuals. Nevertheless, undocumented immigrants have a few rights they are entitled to according to US laws, such as:

1. The right to an education
2. The right to legal representation
3. The right to work (under certain conditions)
4. The right to request asylum if coming from a dangerous region
5. Protection from exploitation by employers
6. Protection from unfair wages

Knowing and understanding these rights is important for undocumented immigrants, as it provides them with a sense of security in an environment where they often feel marginalized or overlooked. This knowledge is empowering for undocumented immigrants, as it allows them to take action when necessary and fight for their rights.

Through the stories of undocumented immigrants, it is clear that the struggles they face are diverse and real. From being in danger of deportation to working in industries that lack basic labor protections, it is evident that undocumented immigrants are feeling the brunt of a harsh and unforgiving system. As their stories continue to unfold, it will be essential for individuals, organizations, and lawmakers to advocate for policy changes that better protect immigrants and reduce the risks they face. Until then, undocumented immigrants must continue to fight for their rights and access to basic services, but we must do our part in amplifying their voices and advocating for real change.