A Slippery Place in the U.S. Work Force

This New York Times piece is part of a fascinating series they've produced called, "Remade in America: A series about the Newest Immigrants and their Impact on American Institutions." The series has covered everything from immigration and health care, education, legalization, and several other issues currently affecting the new immigrant population.

This piece particularly takes an interesting look at the effects of the economic downturn, comparing the experiences of an unemployed American-born citizen, and that of an illegal Mexican immigrant in Morristown, Tenn. The sectors most commonly staffed by immigrant workers are also those most affected by the recent economic downturn. Also, in a strange shift, many jobs in agriculture and manufacturing have been outsourced to areas like Mexico for cheaper labor.

An unemployed immigrant in Morristown is facing more than an unstable income. Given a lack of their legal status, they are not entitled to unemployment insurance and benefits. They try to “go along quietly,” as Enrique C. says, in fear of their illegal status being discovered by a new job or temp agency.

Surprisingly, one thing they've managed to avoid is increased hostility from American-born citizens over job competition. Rather, in Morristown, many have seen an increased empathy, as Americans are increasingly forced to work low-wage jobs originally only reserved for recent immigrants. I would have assumed the opposite, as many are looking for a scape goat in the current crisis. While some organized an anti-illegal immigration protest in Morristown, it wasn't well attended. Perhaps the American public is beginning to realize that who to blame is not a simple answer, and inevitably includes ourselves.