NYT Article Hits and Misses

The New York Times continues its series on new Americans this week with an article about the immigrant workforce in Tennessee, which is being hit hard by the current recession. The article has some interesting and important points, but like most articles on the immigrant workforce, it tends to focus solely on the undocumented workforce and fails to mention the issue of immigrants as taxpayers.

Contrasting the plight of immigrants in the workforce with those of the native-born population, the article discusses the importance of public benefits, such as unemployment insurance and food stamps, in keeping the native-born population above water during the recession. However, not once in the article do they mention that despite immigrants of all statuses paying taxes and contributing to the system, most are barred from accessing the same benefits as their native-born counterparts. Furthermore, the focus of the article exclusively on the undocumented workforce helps spread the misconception that all immigrants, particularly from Mexico, are undocumented.

That said, the article's discussion of macroeconomic forces (outsourcing) on the depression of wages as opposed to blaming immigrant workers is one that should take place more frequently, as is the brief mention of the expanding influence of immigrants in strengthening the labor movement. Finally, the concluding anecdote and quote from the article should be applauded for stressing the unity of all Americans in the struggle to provide for their families during the current economic environment.