I am a Black migrant woman who arrived in the United States from Panama in 2005. Although the specific reasons for my migration are not the focus here, it is relevant to mention that I exercised my right to free movement, as recognized in the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (United Nations, 1990). This convention establishes that "everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country" (Article 8). After completing the necessary administrative procedures, I obtained my Social Security number and residency permit, which allowed me to work in various states such as Virginia, Texas, and New York. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the many challenges that migrants face in this country.
"Everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country" International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (United Nations, 1990).
Since my arrival in the United States in 2005, I have observed how migration from the Global South has shaped the country, contributing to its prosperity while simultaneously being punished and repressed. This contradiction ignores the extensive social, economic, and environmental devastation caused by U.S. foreign policies. The extractivist model that prioritizes the well-being of the so-called "First World" has been a fundamental cause of migration. These policies have led to the unchecked exploitation of natural resources, resulting in socio-environmental conflicts and human rights violations across the region.
Unlike my experience, more than 11 million migrants have lived and worked in the United States without access to regularized immigration status—a crucial tool to ensure conditions that allow them to build dignified, secure, and fulfilling lives. Many of them have established family units throughout the country despite the immense hardships of being separated from their loved ones and home communities.
It is evident that this migration, predominantly composed of racialized groups—including Black, Indigenous, and Asian individuals—faces multiple layers of discrimination, inequality, and exclusion. Despite contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth, innovation, and cultural diversity, recent immigration policies have become increasingly restrictive, negatively impacting these populations and disregarding their invaluable contributions to national development.
The current immigration landscape in the United States is not new. During the early years of Barack Obama’s presidency, I witnessed the deportation of many migrants in Virginia, where I lived. When I reviewed official statistics, I was shocked to discover the significant number of deportations. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE, 2012), deportations peaked at 409,849 in the fiscal year 2012.
This approach earned Obama the title of "Deporter-in-Chief" from pro-immigrant advocacy groups such as the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest Latino civil rights organization in the country (Peña, M. 2014). Later, deportations declined, reaching 235,413 in the fiscal year 2015, a 42.5% decrease from the 2012 peak. This trend reflects an initially strict immigration policy, later moderated during Obama’s second term.
Widespread criticism of these actions led to the implementation of measures demonstrating the power of collective organizing in securing temporary protections against deportation and access to fundamental rights, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), established in 2012, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) resulted from sustained pressure from pro-immigration movements and human rights organizations. For instance, TPS for Haiti was granted in 2010 following the devastating earthquake, largely due to the advocacy of Afro-descendant groups like The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), which highlighted the humanitarian crisis and demanded concrete government responses.
The immigration status of millions of Hondurans and Haitians—primarily Garifuna and Afro-Caribbean communities—who have benefited from TPS and DACA is at risk. If these protections are not renewed, they will become undocumented. It is worth noting that in July 2024, the Biden administration announced that TPS for Haiti would be extended until February 3, 2026.
Recently, the new administration has signed executive orders that negatively impact migrants’ well-being, threatening mass deportations in the coming months. This measure could have devastating consequences for families and communities nationwide, tearing apart social bonds and inflicting deep trauma, especially on children. In other words, thousands of migrants could be deported or expelled from the only place they have lived, studied, and worked.
Mass deportations come at a high economic cost and carry profound human and social consequences. Human mobility is a right, and migrants—many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and vulnerable communities—have played a fundamental role in shaping and building the United States. Instead of punitive policies, we need solutions rooted in human rights and dignity.
A deeper understanding of the economic and social impact of mass deportations helps us advocate for policies that uphold human rights, counter harmful measures, and push for more inclusive and just approaches. That’s why I’ve shared specific data and statistics—so that together, we can challenge anti-rights policies and support alternatives that reflect our collective values.
It is also essential that decision-makers weigh the immense human and financial costs of mass deportations and consider policies that recognize migrants’ dignity and contributions to the country’s social and economic fabric. Rather than repeating restrictive approaches, current leadership has an opportunity to build solutions grounded in justice and equity.
Regardless of your immigration status, knowing your rights is vital. I invite you to follow AfroResistance on social media, where we share resources to help protect you and your community. You can also support our Black Latina Girls and Women Fund, created by Black Latina women for Black Latina women across the Americas.
Thank you for reflecting on this with me—until next time!
American Immigration Council. (2024, October 2). Mass deportation: Devastating costs to America, its budget and economy. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/mass-deportation
Amnistía Internacional. (2021, December 15). Alto a las deportaciones y los abusos de Estados Unidos contra personas haitianas en situación de movilidad: Un paso urgente hacia la creación de políticas justas para las personas haitianas. https://cgrs.uclawsf.edu/sites/default/files/AMR3651012021SPANISH_0.pdf
Artiga, S., & Ubri, P. (2017). Vivir en una familia de inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos: Cómo el miedo y el estrés tóxico están afectando la vida diaria, el bienestar y la salud. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/vivir-en-una-familia-de-inmigrantes-en-los-estados-unidos-como-el-miedo-y-el-estres-toxico-estan-afectando-la-vida-diaria-el-bienestar-y-la-salud/
Constitution of the United States (1868). Amendment XIV, Section 1. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/amendments-11-27
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (2024). Tax contributions of undocumented immigrants. https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/
Peña, M. (2014, March 4). Presidenta de NCLR llama a Obama el “deportador en jefe”. El Diario NY. https://eldiariony.com/2014/03/04/presidenta-de-nclr-llama-a-obama-el-deportador-en-jefe/
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2012, December 21). FY 2012: ICE announces year-end removal numbers, highlights focus on key priorities and issues. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/fy-2012-ice-announces-year-end-removal-numbers-highlights-focus-key-priorities-and
United Nations (1990, December 18). International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner.
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