December 10, 2024

“We know the Latino community, like other communities, want to see action on fixing our broken immigration system,” Murguía stated. “But they do not support extreme proposals such as mass deportation that would tear families and communities apart and jeopardize our economy. They support, instead, solutions that are ‘win-wins’ for our community and our country such as a pathway to citizenship for long-residing undocumented individuals who contribute every day to the well-being of our nation.

“Our research shows that mass deportations would leave millions of U.S.-born children in mixed-status families vulnerable to poverty, disrupt critical sectors of our economy and undermine our nation’s values of family and fairness,” said Murguía. “Deporting these individuals will not save taxpayer dollars — it will cost at least $1.6 trillion, weaken our tax base and harm U.S. workers by driving up labor costs and disrupting local economies.”

UnidosUS pointed to research showing that undocumented immigrants are essential contributors to key industries, including agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Removing these workers would exacerbate inflation, increase food and housing costs, hurt the employment rate of U.S. citizens and shrink GDP by nearly $5 trillion over the next decade. Moreover, Murguía highlighted the human toll, citing studies that show how mass deportations would destabilize millions of children, harm their education and mental health, and create a pervasive climate of fear.

UnidosUS’s testimony urged Congress to prioritize legislative solutions that provide relief for undocumented families, bring order to the southern border and fuel economic prosperity. Murguía concluded with a call for Congress to act, stating, “This is not just about protecting Latino communities — it’s about preserving our economic future and the moral fabric of our nation.”

About UnidosUS

UnidosUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Since 1968, we have challenged the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos through our unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. We believe in an America where economic, political, and social progress is a reality for all Latinos, and we collaborate across communities to achieve it. For more information on UnidosUS, visit unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.