AFSC Launches Hispanic Celebrity Campaign Highlighting Immigrant Economic Contributions

The American Friends Service Committee has launched its first Hispanic celebrity public service announcement campaign titled "Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger." This bilingual, nonpartisan initiative features trusted voices from entertainment and activism to uplift immigrant dignity and counter harmful narratives with factual information about immigrant contributions to American society.

Economic data reveals the substantial impact of immigrant communities on the U.S. economy. Nearly half (47.6%) of the U.S. foreign-born workforce is Latino, driving key sectors of the economy, while Latinos overall account for 80% of U.S. labor force growth. Latino immigrants represent 52% of all Latino-owned employer businesses, with Hispanic-owned firms employing 3 million workers nationwide. The growth rate of Latino-owned businesses between 2018 and 2023 reached 44%, significantly outpacing non-Latino peers.

"Immigrants make our communities stronger – neighbors, coworkers, students, and business owners," said Brian Minter, chief marketing & communications officer for AFSC. "But right now, immigrants are being detained and disappeared, tearing apart families and neighborhoods." The campaign aims to humanize immigrant communities while advocating for more equitable immigration policies through its distribution across traditional and digital media platforms.

The tax contributions from immigrant communities further demonstrate their economic significance. Immigrants paid $579 billion in U.S. taxes in 2022, including $96.7 billion from undocumented immigrants, most of whom originate from Latin America. Essential industries rely heavily on immigrant labor, with more than 500,000 Hispanic immigrant workers supporting U.S. agriculture and Latinos comprising one in four workers across food manufacturing, wholesale, and service industries.

Prominent cultural leaders participating in the campaign include activist Dolores Huerta, actors Melissa Barrera, Tonatiuh, and Mishel Prada, Grammy-winning artists Los Tigres Del Norte, and other influential Hispanic figures. "Immigrants aren't just part of America's story; they are central to its success," said Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Personal stories highlight the resilience within immigrant communities. Actor Tonatiuh shared his family's experience: "My mother came to this country not knowing the language and without a roadmap. She faced an impossible task and persevered, from working at a drive-thru to opening two businesses and raising a family." The campaign content is available through AFSC's communication networks at https://afsc.org/stronger-immigrants.

Aligning with Hispanic Heritage Month and running through year-end, the campaign leverages cultural influencers to deliver a values-driven message that immigrants strengthen American communities through their economic contributions, cultural vitality, and personal resilience. By focusing on factual economic data and human stories, the initiative provides a counter-narrative to anti-immigrant rhetoric while highlighting the essential role immigrants play in building stronger communities across the United States.