The American Friends Service Committee has launched its first-ever Hispanic celebrity public service announcement campaign titled 'Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger.' This bilingual, nonpartisan initiative enlists trusted voices from entertainment and activism to uplift immigrant dignity and counter harmful narratives with factual information about immigrant contributions to American society.
Nearly half of the U.S. foreign-born workforce is Latino, driving key sectors of the economy, while Latinos overall account for 80% of U.S. labor force growth. Brian Minter, chief marketing and communications officer for AFSC, stated that immigrants are being detained and disappeared, tearing apart families and neighborhoods. Government raids across the country are disrupting communities and creating a culture of fear that this campaign aims to address.
The campaign features prominent cultural leaders including activist Dolores Huerta, actors Melissa Barrera, Tonatiuh, and Mishel Prada, Grammy-winning artists Los Tigres Del Norte, Ozomatli's Wil-Dog Abers, Latin Grammy winner Chiquis, recording artist Marisela, and media personalities Daniela Ganoza, Don Cheto, and Said Garcia Solis. These participants share personal stories emphasizing cultural pride and community contributions to shift national dialogue about immigration.
Economic data reveals significant immigrant contributions to American prosperity. Latino immigrants represent 52% of all Latino-owned employer businesses, with Hispanic-owned firms employing 3 million workers nationwide. Latino-owned businesses grew by 44% between 2018 and 2023, far outpacing non-Latino peers. Immigrants paid $579 billion in U.S. taxes in 2022, including $96.7 billion from undocumented immigrants, most from Latin America. More than 500,000 Hispanic immigrant workers support U.S. agriculture, while Latinos comprise one in four workers across food manufacturing, wholesale, and service industries.
Dolores Huerta emphasized that immigrants are central to America's success, noting that targeted individuals include indigenous people of the continents and those facing harassment due to skin color. Actor Tonatiuh shared his mother's immigration story, from working at a drive-thru to opening two businesses and raising a family, illustrating the determination common among immigrant families. Melissa Barrera described immigrants as an integral part of America's fabric, while Mishel Prada called immigration the heartbeat of American culture that keeps the country alive and evolving.
The campaign aligns with Hispanic Heritage Month's culmination and will run through year-end, distributing content across traditional and digital media, social platforms, strategic partnerships, and AFSC's communication networks. By leveraging Latinx celebrities' cultural influence, the campaign delivers a values-driven message that immigrants strengthen communities. Campaign information is available at https://afsc.org/stronger-immigrants.
