Letters to the editor are a powerful, and high-profile, way to influence both lawmakers and fellow voters in your local community. Writing a letter to the editor is an effective way to express an issue that’s important to you and reach a wider audience. The letters to the editor section is among the most widely read feature in any newspaper! 

MomsRising member Dale, from Williamsville, New York, felt so strongly about the economic contributions of immigrants to this country that he submitted a personalized letter to the editor last month! The letter was published in The Buffalo News! It reads as follows: 

Letter: The gift of immigrants adds value to society

 

Immigrants work tirelessly to help build this country. They take jobs that many don’t want. They value the freedoms they have. They pay taxes and help our economy grow. We are especially fortunate in Western New York to have the gift of immigrants from many different countries who add a rich and diverse value to our economy as well as our culture.

 

The taxes that immigrants pay help fuel our nation’s K-12 schools, Medicaid and Social Security. New immigrants want to work. The great majority are looking for an opportunity to pay their way, not a handout.

 

I had the good fortune to work with a family that emigrated here, and they were hardworking, grateful and incredibly patriotic toward this country. Let’s celebrate our good fortune and not buy into the rhetoric that demonizes new immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. Let’s all be proud and welcome the never-ending richness our diversity and democracy provides. 

 

- Dale, Williamsville 

Why are letters to the editor on immigrant contributions so important right now? Some of our country’s leaders are committed to lies and dangerous rhetoric while completely ignoring the fact that immigrants are pouring their heart, soul, and their lives to build America’s infrastructure. There is no clearer indicator than this year's horrific Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse to highlight the blood and sweat immigrants are giving every day to this country.

The six construction workers were also fathers, brothers, husbands, and uncles, who came from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala with hopes of achieving the American Dream. Their sacrifice should remind us that immigrants in this country should be celebrated and not demonized.

Write a Letter to the Editor to spread the truth about immigrants and end the hate! Immigrants are giving their all to build and contribute to this country!

It's up to us to set the record straight, and push back on this anti-immigrant rhetoric across the country. A new report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that thanks to the uptick in immigration, following the pandemic, the U.S. economy will grow an additional $7 trillion!!! U.S. revenue is also estimated to be greater by $1 trillion than it would have been without immigrants coming to this country.

Let’s also not forget the contributions immigrants are already making in our families, communities, culture, and our economy. For example, in 2021 immigrants made up just over 13 percent of the population and contributed $524.7 billion in taxes that will help fund our nation’s K-12 schools, Medicaid, and Social Security! 

Unfortunately, not a lot of people are talking about the huge contributions of immigrants to our workforce, economy, and communities. That’s where you come in! Local newspapers are still a great source of news and information sharing. 

Don’t worry—sending the Letter to the Editor is super easy! When you click on the link, we’ll lead you through a quick process to write a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper. This tool is pretty magical—you can easily edit our pre-drafted letter, if you wish (inserting your own personal experience), and send it to your paper with just a few clicks.