It’s fascinating to see how migrants are finding creative ways to generate income in the United States despite legal barriers.
Starting their own businesses appears to be a promising path for those without legal immigration status or work permits, taking advantage of laws that allow them to do so.
Thousands of undocumented migrants who arrived in the United States, primarily from Venezuela and Colombia, have found a way to generate income and build a future by exploiting a legal loophole that lets them open their own businesses and thrive without the opportunity to obtain work permits.
Creating opportunities despite the challenges
While many of these migrants do not qualify for work permits or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), starting businesses—primarily limited liability companies (LLCs)—opens doors to employment opportunities and allows them to navigate the limitations of their immigration status.
A path to economic independence
Marta Hernández, president of a cleaning company in Colorado, has firsthand experience with this phenomenon. She has helped several migrants start their own businesses and later hired them for her cleaning services.
Hernández points out that “there are no laws preventing an undocumented person from legally forming and owning a business in any state.” This means that any properly registered company can hire other legally established businesses, regardless of the owners’ immigration status.
Sectors where new businesses thrive
Undocumented migrants are venturing into various sectors, particularly those where labor is scarce, such as construction, landscaping, snow removal, and even food delivery.
One example of this initiative is Sergio Ruiz, a South American migrant who has successfully established two businesses: a food delivery service and a bakery. Ruiz uses his food deliveries to promote his baked goods and has achieved considerable success.
Significant income and the potential to double it
The income these entrepreneurs earn is substantial, far exceeding the minimum wage. In the case of Édgar Rodríguez, a Colombian migrant in California, he claims to earn up to $800 net in a good week.
Rodríguez and Ruiz agree that hard work and dedication are key to success. “Anyone who really wants to work, whether at night, in the cold, or in the snow, can double that income,” Ruiz says.
A changing landscape in the labor market
Statistics from the Pew Research Center reveal that while in 2020 only 5% of workers in the U.S. were undocumented, the pandemic has led to a significant increase in their participation in sectors like healthcare (where they now represent nearly 15%) and textiles (11%).
Challenges and risks that remain
Despite the opportunities that arise, undocumented migrants are not without challenges. Labor exploitation, lack of access to benefits and personal protective equipment, unpredictable schedules, cultural and language barriers, wage theft, and the constant fear of deportation are daily realities they face.
Marta Hernández, aware of these risks, reminds each migrant she hires of them. However, she also emphasizes that “the good news is that undocumented individuals can open their own business in the United States.”
A message of hope and perseverance
The stories of Sergio Ruiz, Édgar Rodríguez, and thousands of other undocumented migrants who have found a path to economic independence through business creation are examples of perseverance and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines them. Despite the difficulties and risks, they seek to build a better future for themselves and their families while contributing to the development of the communities where they live.
Image: LopezDoriga
