No  Human  Being  Is  Illegal

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Words Matter: A person cannot be “illegal”

Grab a sticker, wear a button, advocate for immigrants by sharing our message “NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL.”

La Casa de Amistad’s response to community concerns in 2017 about issues regarding immigrants, asylum seekers, and limiting refugee admissions and benefits was our “No Human Being Is Illegal” campaign. The climate of negative rhetoric and stigmatization promotes fear. We wanted to share facts so that each of us can act as an advocate for all immigrants in South Bend, Indiana and beyond.

Words Matter: People are not “illegal” and hence “No Human Being Is Illegal.”  We present this tag line to change the narrative through words and facts. We are here to support, love, and serve our community. La Casa de Amistad offers hope, education, acculturation and collaboration to our community immigrants.

• Immigrants are here seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Their presence enriches our lives and continues the rich tradition of our immigrant nation.
• Immigration gives the United States an economic edge in the world economy. Immigrants bring innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit to the U.S. economy. SOURCE
• Many current undocumented individuals entered this country with a visa and had a green card. There are many circumstances that contribute to compromising an immigrant’s status. Unlawful presence is a civil offense. Civil offenses don’t make you a criminal. SOURCE
• Mexican undocumented immigrants are no longer the majority of those living illegally in the U.S. SOURCE
• Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federal and state benefits. Many studies show that even eligible Latino citizens and resident families tend not to use these benefits. SOURCE
• Many years, we actually see a net negative migration between US/Mexico.  This means more people left the U.S. to go to Mexico, than the total number of people who entered the U.S. from Mexico. When it is not net negative, it’s usually around a point of being net neutral. SOURCE  
• Undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes, property taxes and purchase items here. It is estimated that undocumented immigrants pay nearly $12 million in state and local taxes each year. SOURCE
• Immigrant households nationwide contribute billions of dollars in federal, state, and local taxes nationwide and hold a total spending power of about $1.3 trillion. SOURCE
• Research reviewed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicates that between 50 percent and 75 percent of unauthorized immigrants pay federal, state, and local taxes. Undocumented immigrants are estimated to pay in about $11 billion per year into Social Security. SOURCE
• Immigrants are a necessary part of our care economy. More than one-quarter (27.5 percent) of direct care workers and 30.3 percent of nursing home housekeeping and maintenance workers were immigrants. Although legal noncitizen immigrants accounted for 5.2 percent of the US population, they made up 9.0 percent of direct care workers. SOURCE
• There is some evidence putting undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship would increase U.S. GDP by up to $1.7 trillion over the next decade, raise wages for all Americans, and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. SOURCE

Please engage in our campaign to change the conversation with a “No Human Being is Illegal” sticker. Or consider making a donation to fund our outreach and advocacy efforts.

Together, with knowledge and understanding, we can create positive momentum regarding immigrants.