I never expected to live in Richmond, Virginia. In fact, I never even imagined living in the United States. But after being here since 2017, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. And as June, Immigrant Heritage Month, comes to an end, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be an American — but hope Congress will extend it to others as well.
My story starts in Venezuela: a South American country mired in unrest, hunger, and despair. It wasn’t always this way. I have fond childhood memories of being surrounded by close friends and loved ones in the bustling capital city of Caracas. Not too long ago, Venezuela was the most prosperous country in South America.
But eventually, my world was turned upside down. As socialism began to take hold, work became scarcer. Violence became the norm. And then, I feared for my own safety and that of my immediate family. As difficult as it was to imagine leaving everything and everyone behind, we knew it was time to go. Fortunately, I am in the asylum process to live in the U.S until things improve in Venezuela.
My story is not unique. Like me, there are millions of immigrants who have found their way to the U.S. in search of liberty, freedom, economic opportunity, and prosperity. It’s a story that repeats itself generation after generation.
Here in Virginia, the American Immigration Council estimates that 1 in 8 residents in the commonwealth are immigrants — or about 12% of the state’s population. Besides contributing to the growth of our state and country, immigrants in Virginia are paying an estimated $8.7 billion in federal taxes and $3.2 billion in state and local taxes.
Other studies have found that immigrants are starting businesses at a faster rate than native-born Americans. The New American Economy meanwhile found that a staggering 44% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or by the children of immigrants.
June is a terrific opportunity to remember the contributions of immigrants as we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month: a four-week-long celebration of immigration and their contributions to the U.S. It is also a chance for us to tell our immigrant heritage stories and remember that immigration contributes to the free movement of ideas and resources. Opening the door for immigration also generates knowledge, innovation, and opportunity benefiting us all.
This year’s Immigrant Heritage Month is also taking place at a time when it’s clear there is an urgency to improve our immigration system. The last time Congress overhauled our immigration laws was 1986. Since then, there have been remarkable technological advances. Our economy has evolved, as have our labor needs.
Additionally, we are experiencing the benefits of a strong economy. One recent analysis found that there are more available jobs than folks looking for work, the widest margin on record.
Whenever I tell my family members about this back home, they are stunned in disbelief.
It’s why I consider myself incredibly lucky. In the years since I moved to Richmond, I have found work, a church, and a good school for my two children. I am also taking English classes because I know that if I want to seize on the many opportunities in the U.S., I must first break down internal barriers that will prevent me from realizing my full potential. I had help translating this column into English.
But as happy as I am, I am well aware that I am incredibly fortunate. Millions of other immigrants, here in Virginia and elsewhere, are living under a constant fear of being deported and sent back to their home countries mired in violence and poverty.
As a person of faith, I pray that our elected officials in Washington immediately prioritize immigration legislation. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month.
Soanqueil Oses is a Richmond resident and a volunteer for the Virginia chapter of the LIBRE Initiative.
