‘Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger’ PSA sends a message to the Trump administration

Last week, The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), an organization advocating for peace and justice, announced the launch of its first-ever Latino celebrity Public Service Announcement (PSA) and publicity campaign, “Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger.” 

This bilingual, nonpartisan project brings together trusted voices from the entertainment industry with activist organizers to honor immigrants, spotlights Latino contributions and replace harmful narratives with truth and pride.

The PSA includes American civil rights and social justice activist Dolores Huerta; film stars Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada and Tonatiuh; recording artists Los Tigres del Norte, Chiquis, Wil-Dog Abers and Marisela and Spanish-language radio and TV personality Don Cheto. 

“Immigrants make our communities stronger – neighbors, coworkers, students and business owners,” said Brian Minter, chief marketing & communications officer for AFSC. “But right now, immigrants are being detained and disappeared, tearing apart families and neighborhoods. Across the country, government raids are disrupting our communities and creating a culture of fear.”

According to the organization, Latino immigrants are the driving force of America’s economic growth as they represent 52% of all Latino-owned employer businesses. Additionally, undocumented immigrants as a whole paid an overall total of $96.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, which means undocumented immigrants paid an average of $8,889 per person that year. 

The number would only increase to at least $10.3 billion if undocumented taxpayers were granted work permits. These individuals are immigrants who pay taxes every year with a nine-digit code known as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

“Immigrants aren’t just part of America’s story; they are central to its success,” said Huerta. “The people that are being targeted are not just immigrants; they are the indigenous people of these continents. Yes, some are immigrants from Asia and other places, but the vast majority are native to these lands. People are being harassed because of the color of their skin; it's ethnic cleansing.”

AFSC’s campaign will run through the end of the year and aims to show the humanity of immigrant communities through personal stories while also advocating for fairer immigration policies. The bilingual PSA will be distributed across traditional and digital media, social media, media partnerships, AFSC’s own communication networks and those of allied organizations. 

“As a proud Mexican actress working and living in the U.S. for many years, I have witnessed firsthand the strength, resilience, and beauty that immigrants bring to this country,” said Barrera. “Nearly half of the foreign-born workforce is Latino, and together our community is driving America’s future. This campaign serves as a reminder of the power we, as immigrants, hold. We are not outsiders; we are an integral part of the fabric of the United States of America.

To learn more about the campaign, please visit: https://afsc.org/stronger-immigrants