Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting in Orange County with Congresswoman Young Kim. The gathering, coordinated by the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), brought together over 40 attendees from industries such as construction, hospitality, real estate, and agriculture. We came together not only to discuss immigration practices but also to thank Congresswoman Kim for her support of the Dignity Act.
I deeply appreciated that she and her staff made the time to meet with us. Yet as the conversation unfolded, I was struck by something that felt all too familiar: to some extent, many Republican leaders remain tone-deaf to the human side of immigration. Instead of listening closely to the struggles of undocumented workers—families who live in fear, parents who want nothing more than to provide for their children, and laborers who hold up entire industries—they fall back on a simple refrain: “They broke the law, so we have to round them up.”
That language is chilling. It doesn’t sound like policy—it sounds like a cattle drive. It reduces human beings, with names, stories, and dreams, to faceless numbers to be herded and removed. It ignores a basic truth: immigrant communities, both documented and undocumented, are woven into the very fabric of our country. They are not just “workers.” They are neighbors, church members, small business owners, and parents cheering on their kids at weekend soccer games.
Some leaders deflect by blaming the media, claiming that narratives are distorted by outlets on both ends of the political spectrum. But even if the truth lies somewhere in the middle between Fox News and CNN, the “middle” is still a terrifying place to be if you are Hispanic—documented or undocumented, citizen or non-citizen. The constant fear of being targeted, detained, or deported is not a debate point; it is daily life for millions.
The persecution of immigrants is something I once believed belonged to a darker chapter of our nation’s history. Sadly, it remains alive in our present. At times, the weight of this reality feels crushing. After last week’s discussion, I walked away not with optimism for immediate relief but with the sobering realization that meaningful change is still far off. Politics as usual—and the slow pace of legislative cycles—continue to delay action that is desperately needed.
And yet, there is hope. During our discussion, participants emphasized how deeply immigration is tied to our economy: from homeownership and access to FHA loans, to the vitality of the hotel and hospitality sector, to the construction industry that builds the very communities we live in. What was clear to me—and what I shared with the Congresswoman—is that construction is essential to homeownership, hospitality, and ultimately to a healthy economy. Without immigrant labor, none of these pillars can stand.
The Dignity Act is not perfect, but it offers a path forward.
It acknowledges both the rule of law and the dignity of people. It is something tangible to build on, something worth fighting for.
When Congresswoman Kim shared her perspective, I could have countered and contradicted point by point. But I chose not to. We chose not to. Instead, as a collective group, we embraced something sorely missing in Washington, D.C.—restraint, civility, patience, and respect. We chose to engage with dignity.
Because ultimately, this isn’t about politics. It’s about people. It’s about the lives of millions of men, women, and children who deserve the chance to live without fear. It’s about ensuring that America lives up to its promise—not just as a nation of laws, but as a nation of compassion and humanity.
The road ahead will be long. The struggle will be hard.
But together—if we continue to push, to organize, and to remind our leaders that immigrants are not statistics but human beings—we can still build a country where dignity and justice prevail.