Immigration and Workplace Discrimination

Abstract

This study incorporates in-depth interviews with undocumented immigrants in the United States, particularly in the suburban area of Peekskill, New York, to determine how workplace discrimination affects immigrants and their families. A total of 15 Latinx immigrants participated in this research. The findings suggested that immigrants experience challenges and discrimination in workplaces because they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse due to their marginalized position in this country. Immigrants are subjected to poor working conditions, low payments compared to their Caucasian counterparts, long working hours, and exploitation by being overworked and without resting hours, among many others. The project also identifies the elements that contribute to the perpetuation of these atrocities toward immigrant workers, which include negativity in the media, hostility toward immigrants, and racial profiling. I argue that exploitative work environments affect not only immigrants but also their families, due to discrimination and retaliation from their employers.