More than 40 million current U.S. residents came from another country in hopes of making a better life for themselves and their families. That’s 13.6 percent of the population, which puts into perspective how big of a role immigrants play in our economy and society.

Unfortunately, many immigrants—more specifically migrant workers—face a plethora of challenges and struggle to access the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. These challenges can be compounded if they have a disability — and the COVID-19 pandemic only makes this more difficult. 

Below are some tips and resources for how you can help improve the lives of migrant workers in your neighborhood and beyond.

Financial and Legal Help

Financial and legal issues are among the most common concerns for migrant workers. 

  • Research the various organizations and financial assistance programs that can help migrant workers in your community get through these hard times.

  • Help migrant workers get connected with a reputable attorney who specializes in immigration law.

  • Connect with the remote workforce to find legal professionals and translators who can help migrant workers through legal hurdles.

  • There are even services available that can help migrant workers file the paperwork they might need to start their own business.

Healthy Living

Many migrant workers also struggle to obtain the resources they need to live a healthy life.

  • Volunteer for food pantries and soup kitchens that help migrant workers (as well as disable migrant workers) provide for their families on a daily basis.

  • Work with organizations that help provide sanitary housing to migrant workers and their families.

  • Inform migrant workers of their options in regards to healthcare; for example, there are community health centers that provide medical care to undocumented immigrants, and all hospital emergency rooms are required by federal law to provide care, regardless of citizenship status or disability.

Learning About the Struggles

The more you learn about the challenges faced by millions of migrant workers each day, the more prepared you will be to contribute.

  • Undocumented immigrants are unable to access federal government assistance for the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Migrant workers who have not yet obtained their citizenship status are at risk of deportation.

  • They often must change their visas, which can be a complex and lengthy process.

  • Many migrant workers and their children face severe language barriers at work, in school, and in everyday life.

  • Migrant workers often face poor living conditions, such as low-quality food and unclean housing.

 If each one of us works together, we can make a major impact in our communities. See how you can help connect struggling migrant workers in your neighborhood with the financial, legal, and healthy living resources they need. And remember to continue learning as much as you can about the challenges they face so that you can help in practical, meaningful ways.

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As a former librarian, Diane noticed that a lot of people would come in looking for more info on various health and medical conditions whether it was for their own personal research or after the diagnosis of a family member or friend.

Cover Photo: Pexels

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