We contribute $3.3 trillion to US economy annually
We make up 22.2% of entrepreneurs in the US
We make up 28.7 Million of US workers
We are responsible for 30% of all U.S. patents issued in the past decade
We make up 25% of all Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, and medicine
We introduced Jazz, Blues, Rock n’ Roll, Latin, and Hip-Hop to music in the US
We shaped the American Men’s Suit industry
We influenced the NY style deli experience
We brought the seasonings and ingredients that are in America’s favorite dishes
We are responsible for 20% of new businesses in the US
We make up 50% of tech startups
We make up 40% of Silicon Valley’s engineers
We are 30% of graduate students in STEM fields
We are 14% of Active Duty Military
We are 17% of the U.S. population but make up 19% of volunteers in community service programs.
Whose "We"?
At OBERLAND, the core of our agency is made up of immigrants. If you identify as part of a minority or have parents who have come to the U.S. from another country, this includes you as well. That’s why we approach this as a ‘We’ conversation.
The fight for ownership and control of a nation, once celebrated as a beacon of freedom, opportunity, and safety for all, has sadly become a breeding ground for fear and alienation. Immigrants, who have long been a blessing to this country, are now too often viewed as a burden.
As the CATO Institute points out, "The biggest myth in the debate over immigrant welfare use is that noncitizens — including undocumented immigrants and those lawfully present on various temporary visas or green cards — disproportionately consume welfare.” In fact, studies show that noncitizen immigrants use 54% less welfare than native-born Americans.
Given the immense contributions we have made to this nation, even the denial of basic care feels profoundly inhumane. We are witnessing countless injustices unfold before our eyes, from the widespread use of solitary confinement and sexual assault in detention centers to the abuse and mistreatment of children. According to the Urban Institute and the Pew Hispanic Center, more than 3 million children born in the U.S. have undocumented parents who face the threat of deportation.
The new Trump Administration plan requires all "illegal" immigrants over the age of 14 to submit their fingerprints and home addresses to a national registry. If they fail to comply, they could face fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In just one month, ICE detained 20,000 immigrants.
This raises a fundamental moral and humanitarian question: when we shift from the notion of what is illegal to who is ‘illegal’, where do we draw the line? Research has shown that even using negative metaphors to describe immigrants distorts public perception and erodes their individuality, making them seem less deserving of support and compassion. It’s vital that we remind ourselves and others that the diverse flavors, cultures, and innovations we experience today were not born here—they were brought here.
In New York City, solidarity is evident in the form of restaurant and business owners proudly displaying "ICE isn’t welcome here" stickers on their front doors. Despite the escalating policies and invasions, the support of the community is crucial, and it’s heartening to see it displayed in the streets of our hometown. At OBERLAND, we stand in solidarity with those advocating for fair immigration reform. If any brands wish to engage with us on this matter, we are more than willing to serve as a partner in this vital conversation.
Sources:
- “Immigrants Used Less Welfare than Native-Born Americans in 2022”, Cato Institute, 2025
- NYCLU, Immigrants’ Rights are Human Rights: Universal Guarantees of Rights to All People, 2025
- ‘No Person Is Illegal—the Language We Use for Immigration Matters’, Vera Institute 2023
- ‘Alien Registration Requirement’, USCIS 2025
