Coda Rayo-garza and Mayra Juarez-denis

This month, a new “public charge” proposal was posted in the Federal Register and opened to public comments for 60 days. This proposed policy aims to disqualify immigrants who have undergone all required administrative requirements to live in the United States from obtaining green cards if they used certain forms of public benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid or public housing.

Hidden behind the veil of “economic self-sufficiency,” this proposal is yet another pillory on our immigrant brothers and sisters, specifically the Latino, Asian-american and Pacific Islander populations. This attempt at removing immigrants on a basis unrelated to legal status only serves to punish the disenfranchised and underserved folks who have come to our country to seek a better life and make underrepresented people suffer. This is undeniably wrong.

The growing field of eligible voters and the changing demographics of our nation indubitably mean that immigrants and people of color play a significant role in American democracy and economy; President Donald Trump’s actions against these communities are detrimental to democracy and the economy.

After all, the data tell us that immigrant and underrepresented communities contribute tremendously to our country. For instance, in 2017, 86 percent of scaled ($1 million-plus) immigrant-owned firms were owned by millennials who immigrated as children. Over the past five years, Latino degree attainment has increased significantly. In 2015, Latino households contributed almost $215 billion to U.S. tax revenues as a whole, including almost $76 billion in state and local tax payments. Between 2015 and 2020, a projected 5.7 million Latinos will gain eligibility to vote for the first time, most by turning 18 and aging into the electorate. We are, without question, here.

Yet, the burden some of us feel is a heavy sense of powerlessness in wanting to do more, but not knowing what that now means in light of the fact that our immigrant sisters’ and brothers’ sense of humanity is questioned on a daily basis.

The seeming powerlessness is exemplified in the messages we hear from an administration praising voter identification laws that hinder the Latino and black vote.

The burden is also demonstrable through the dialogue around family separation at the border, ultimately leading to