By: Nichole Davari | 2021 Board of Directors, Vice President

Tomorrow morning you may wake up, make your coffee, find your work-from-home spot and begin your day. This monotony is a blessing and a curse many of us have become accustomed to over the past 10 months. 

Meanwhile 5.5 million people will wake up, make their coffee and report to their “essential critical infrastructure” place of work. Whether it be health care, service, food or any other need the United States deems necessary, that essential need will be met because they are there. 

I remember the countless ads at the beginning of the pandemic thanking our essential workers for their service - do you?

The people who stocked the toilet paper shelves - knowing they’d just be empty in less than 10 minutes - were our heroes, and their immigration status didn’t get in the way of our heartfelt appreciation. 

Now that a vaccine is available, we have the opportunity to bring safety from COVID-19 to those who are on the front lines and pay our debt of gratitude -- but the state of Florida would like proof of residency first. 

Given that up to 15 percent of essential workers in any state are undocumented, it is nonsensical to think not vaccinating this group is an option. The actions of Florida and questionable statements from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, who said American citizens could be vaccinated at no cost, have caused fear and distrust among the undocumented. 

But really, why would anyone living undocumented suddenly trust government authority? The lengthy history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions the United States has accumulated to present day gives our neighbors every reason to be guarded. 

The new administration provides a bit of hope, as it’s been said Biden has plans to overhaul immigration policy, but it will be up to organizations like TNJFON and you, the people, to build trust among undocumented immigrant communities. 

We must fight for guarantee that records are not released to governmental agencies, putting people at risk of deportation and, of course, for vaccines to be provided free to all, making sure poverty does not continue to be a COVID-19 death sentence. 

To the task forces, advisory committees, and distribution planners coordinating vaccine rollouts: undocumented immigrants simply can not be ignored.