Despite soaring unemployment rates, the country's recession, and a major slump in California’s construction industry, illegal immigrants are not packing up and heading home. A recent study says tough economic times are unlikely to drive undocumented workers away.
It's no secret immigrants make up a large percentage of the labor force in Kern County's agriculture, construction, and service industries. And even as those businesses continue to shed jobs in record numbers, immigrants we spoke to say they are staying here... and tough economic times in Kern County won't send them back home.
“I think in our countries, I think it’s worse than here. You know they come here for opportunities,” immigrant Maria Rubio said.
Rubio and her husband sell cleaning supplies to local restaurants at the Mercado Latino in Bakersfield. And lately, business has been very slow. Still Rubio says they won't be heading back to Mexico any time soon.
“It’s worse for our kids because they don't have future. And they have better opportunities here,” Rubio also said.
While research shows tough economic times prompted fewer immigrants to cross the border illegally last year, a new study says undocumented workers already here won't leave.
Immigrants say it is even harder to get a job in their countries and they also fear not being able to reenter the U.S., or support their families back home.
“Before I send money for Mexico… maybe every month $200. Now I say, sorry I have to send $50,” immigrant Robert Payares said.
And with a major slowdown in Kern County’s construction and agriculture industries, CSUB professor Dr. Jess Nieto says the recession is forcing many undocumented workers into lower-paying jobs.
“They will probably just end up finding jobs that just don’t pay as well. But again these are much better jobs than the jobs they will find back home,” Dr. Nieto said.
Dr. Nieto says illegal immigrants just tend to have an enormous amount of faith in the U.S. economy.
“I am staying here. My kids were born here and I am not afraid, I can’t be afraid of the future,” immigrant Maria Rubio said.
They have faith things will get better and that this is the land of opportunity.
Dr. Nieto also says the incoming Obama administration and hope for some type of immigration reform is also encouraging illegal immigrants to stay, even in these grim economic times.
