Immigration and the NC Economy, Dr. Gill Flashcards
How are Latin American immigrants “essential workers”? In which sectors do they work?
Latin American immigrants are vital to NC, playing key roles in healthcare, agriculture, and beyond. They are doctors, nurses, farmworkers, food processors, and more, making up 94% of migrant farmworkers and 15% of STEM workers in the state. Their contributions are essential to our economy and well-being.
What are recruitment mechanisms to bring immigrants to fill areas of labor shortage in NC?
NC heavily utilizes H2A visas for seasonal farm labor and H1B visas for high-skilled workers in biotech and medicine, offering high salaries and sponsoring immigration for select professions.
In what ways have immigrant workers (especially undocumented ones) face precarity?
Undocumented immigrants face precarity in 3 main ways:
Low wages and limited financial security: They often work in dangerous industries for low pay, lacking legal sponsorship and access to basic financial services.
Constant fear and legal vulnerability: The threat of deportation hangs over them daily, restricting their access to basic necessities and social support.
Exploitation and unsafe working conditions: They often lack legal protections and are exploited by employers, leading to stressful daily lives and difficulty integrating into communities.
How did Covid-19 impact the circumstances of immigrant workers?
Health risks: Increased exposure due to essential work, limited healthcare access, and language barriers.
Economic hardship: Job losses, wage cuts, and fear of deportation hindered support access.
Social and mental health challenges: Social isolation, discrimination, mental health strain, and limited access to support.
(10% of NC’s population, Latinx, made up 40% of COVID cases. Undocumented immigrants faced extra hardship due to lack of federal aid and language/digital barriers to relief funds)
What are some of the things local governments are doing to establish connections with immigrant communities and to support them?
Local governments are actively supporting immigrant communities during COVID-19 by offering financial aid to undocumented workers, providing quarantine housing, assisting with unemployment applications, and pressuring companies to improve workplace safety and health coverage for immigrant employees. Additionally, they are establishing language access plans and translating important information to ensure effective communication with these communities.
