By CAROLA OTERO BRACCO
The recent presidential election has cast a shadow of uncertainty over millions of immigrant families. Heartless and economically senseless policies like mass deportations and the expansion of detention centers threaten to tear families apart, leaving children behind and exiling parents from the country they call home. At Neighbors Link, we have witnessed firsthand the fear and devastation these policies inflict. We must confront the human toll of these proposed measures that are in direct conflict with family unity, a principle that is integral to the American identity.
At Neighbors Link, our mission has always been to build a stronger community through the healthy integration of immigrants. Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to standing with immigrant families who, for decades, have been essential to the prosperity of the lower Hudson Valley. As a nonprofit organization rooted in Westchester County, we know firsthand the critical role that immigrants play in our local economy. Their contributions are not theoretical; they are concrete and measurable, as detailed in numerous reports from credible sources, including the National Foundation for American Policy, the Economic Policy Institute, CATO Institute and the Congressional Budget Office.
Immigrants are more than just contributors to our economy — they are an economic lifeline. In Westchester County alone, immigrants make up over 25 percent of the population, driving sectors from health care and construction to small business ownership. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants pay $27.1 billion in state and local taxes to New York every year, directly funding public services, schools, and infrastructure.
Neighbors Link recently hosted an online forum with esteemed workforce, economic and immigration law experts to discuss the true economic contributions of immigrants in our community and the consequences of removing immigrant workers on a massive scale. It’s clear that Westchester businesses already face a talent shortage, with thousands of unfilled jobs across the county, especially in sectors like health care. Deporting critical workers would exacerbate this shortage, undermine economic growth and shrink the tax base. Forum panelist David Dyssegaard Kallick, director of the Immigration Research Initiative, notes that such policies could reduce the nation’s GDP by 4 to 7 percent, a hit as severe as or worse than the Great Recession.
Beyond the economic cost, draconian immigration policies have a devastating human toll. More than 20 million people in the U.S. live in mixed-status families, where some family members are undocumented, and some are citizens. When one family member is deported, it leaves lasting emotional, psychological and economic damage to entire communities.
In addition, when communities are living in fear of their families being torn apart, this creates an environment of constant stress and instability. Living under this kind of stress has documented impacts on mental and physical health. This uncertainty is particularly damaging to children, who fear their parents may not return home from work at the end of the day.
Neighbors Link remains committed to fostering resilience within our communities. Over the past two decades, we have developed partnerships with local authorities, faith organizations and other community groups to create a safe and inclusive environment for all. In the face of potential policy changes, we are prepared to expand our legal aid services, workforce development programs and family support initiatives. As we have seen in the past, our entire community will unite to uphold what is right and just, defending the rights, humanity and contributions of immigrants.
Now more than ever, we call on our allies — our neighbors, local business owners, faith leaders and elected officials — to stand with us. Together, we can resist harmful narratives that dehumanize immigrants and instead promote a vision rooted in shared humanity and respect.
There is work to be done. We must advocate for state-level legislation like the New York for All Act that would protect immigrant families from being turned over to ICE. We also must invest more money in immigration legal services to keep families together and defend the rights of all immigrant New Yorkers. Policies like these recognize the dignity and rights of every individual, bolstering community health, safety and cohesion.
Neighbors Link will not waiver in its mission to protect and uplift our immigrant communities. We know that with the support of our entire community, we can counter fear with hope, prejudice with facts, and division with unity. Let us ensure that justice, resilience, and mutual respect continue to define our community, now and for generations to come.
Carola Otero Bracco is executive director of Neighbors Link, a nonprofit organization that seeks to strengthen communities through the healthy integration of immigrants.