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Before starting my junior year of college, I made a trip to the local Walmart. I shopped for chicken, eggs, and milk when I noticed a man shyly approaching other customers.
He looked to be in his forties, and I could overhear him nervously speaking in Spanish.
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He looked to be in his forties, and I could overhear him nervously speaking in Spanish.
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The first customer he approached waved him away. Then the second, and the third. I continued shopping until I felt a hand lightly tap my shoulder.
It was the man, we'll call him Miguel. He asked for spare change, but I remorsefully told him that I barely had enough $ for..
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It was the man, we'll call him Miguel. He asked for spare change, but I remorsefully told him that I barely had enough $ for..
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..my own groceries. He understood, but Miguel's ask prompted me to look into my wallet. Voila, a $20 bill that I did not know existed. I called him back.
"Why are you asking for money?" I asked in Spanish.
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"Why are you asking for money?" I asked in Spanish.
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"I just came from Mexico, and I don't have any money for me and my son. We have no food."
He told me more, and I listened. His story reminded me of my father's--a new immigrant in the US fighting for a better life for his children without the help of many.
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He told me more, and I listened. His story reminded me of my father's--a new immigrant in the US fighting for a better life for his children without the help of many.
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I told him to get whatever food he wanted. To my surprise, he only grabbed a loaf of bread and a container of macaroni salad. He said, "Okay, this is it. Thank you so much."
I insisted he at least grab some milk, but he had nowhere to store it.
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I insisted he at least grab some milk, but he had nowhere to store it.
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After paying for his items, we walked to the front of Walmart. He could only store so much food in the small room he shared with his son, so I offered him the $20 bill for future meals.
Miguel broke down in tears. A man nearly the age of my father cried on my shoulder.
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Miguel broke down in tears. A man nearly the age of my father cried on my shoulder.
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I share this story because there are over 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the US, many of whom struggle to afford groceries for themselves and their children.
During #covid19, the number of people struggling to afford food has skyrocketed.
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During #covid19, the number of people struggling to afford food has skyrocketed.
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America cannot rely on good faith to sustain the basic needs of unauthorized immigrants. Federal, state, and local governments--alongside nonprofit organizations--must do more to combat the rising prevalence of food insecurity disproportionately affecting this population.
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Here ( https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200724.40740/full/), @JordanKondo, @broademily, Sarah Downer of @HarvardCHLPI, & I detail how that can be done.
People like Miguel are essential workers, resilient students, friendly cashiers, and loving parents--but most importantly, they are human.
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People like Miguel are essential workers, resilient students, friendly cashiers, and loving parents--but most importantly, they are human.
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And that in itself should be enough for America to listen, act, and guarantee access to food as a basic human right.
cc @RepRaulRuizMD @RepJimmyGomez @RepPressley @RepJoeKennedy @MayorOfLA @marty_walsh
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cc @RepRaulRuizMD @RepJimmyGomez @RepPressley @RepJoeKennedy @MayorOfLA @marty_walsh
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