John —
Black immigrants make up approximately 9% of the entire foreign-born population in the U.S, but are nearly 20% of immigrants facing deportation.
This isn’t data that’s lifted up in most mainstream media.
That’s because anti-Blackness within the immigrant rights movement and our country’s long history of white supremacy often exclude the voices and experiences of Black immigrants from mainstream immigrant rights and social justice conversations.
At NDWA, we believe immigration is a Black issue and Black issues are immigration issues. That’s why our We Dream in Black (WEDiB) organizing project is grounded in our ‘Unbossed Agenda’ which sets a new vision for Black working women from across the diaspora.
"I don't have health insurance because of my status. I can't afford to get sick. I don't get paid overtime."
— Lydia, domestic worker, Massachusetts
Among immigrant populations, Black immigrants have the highest unemployment rates and earn the lowest wages, even though they are often among the most educated. The day-to-day reality is especially difficult for Black immigrant domestic workers like Lydia.
In 2022, we released The Other Side of the Storm, a follow-up to our 2020 Notes from the Storm report. Our survey found that Black immigrant domestic workers — particularly undocumented workers and housekeepers — are some of the most vulnerable workers with 80% working without an employment contract.
Undocumented Black domestic workers are constantly at risk of being exploited because of their immigration status. In order to truly transform our society into one that is fair and humane, all Black experiences must be centered and our leadership and voices must be uplifted.
Generations of immigrants have come to America in search of opportunity and have contributed to our shared wealth as a nation.
But anti-immigration sentiments, deeply rooted in anti-Black racism, have prevented Black immigrant domestic workers from receiving the support and pathway to citizenship they deserve.
No one should have to navigate the impossible maze that is gender, racial and immigration status discrimination. Yet, so many Black immigrant domestic workers are forced to do just that. And many are forced to do so in silence.
Our “Unbossed Agenda” has created a roadmap for investment in a care economy that gives Black immigrant caregivers the dignity, wages, and respect they’ve been denied for too long. It also provides a clear framework for building Black women’s economic power.
That’s why we are committed to working alongside our domestic worker leaders to transform the lives of millions of low-paid Black women by adopting radically simple ideas: care jobs should be good jobs and all people, regardless of race, gender or status, should be treated with respect.
Thanks for all that you do,
Allison Julien, We Dream in Black Director
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Thank you for being a dedicated supporter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance!
We're working day and night to win respect, recognition, and labor rights and protections for the more than 2.5 million nannies, house cleaners, and homecare workers.
The majority of domestic workers sit at the center of some of our nation’s most decisive issues because of who they are and what they do: they are women – mostly women of color, immigrants, mothers, and low-wage workers. They are impacted by almost every policy affecting the future of our economy, democracy and country.
Domestic workers can lead us toward a new, inclusive vision for the future for all of us -- and your grassroots support is the fuel that can get us there.
Join our SMS list: Text NDWA to 33843
This email was sent by the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States.
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