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A.V.
A.V.

A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, but she still has 40 hours/week at CVS. Because she doesn’t have a social security number, her family doesn’t quality for the payment protection program.

This is an excerpt from Newest Americans, which was featured in The Nation on September 28, 2020.

M.R.
M.R.

M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impossible for him to send money back to Mexico to his wife and eight children, who he hasn’t seen in 14 years.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

E.H.
E.H.

E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.

Rita Dentino
Rita Dentino

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

O.M.
O.M.

O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries to get by. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March and kept in isolation – at one point he had to be intubated because he has type-2 diabetes and was at a higher risk.

Rita Dentino
Rita Dentino

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

G.R.
G.R.

G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes, but has lost most of this work since March.

F.M.
F.M.

F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food delivery. News traveled fast and he was no longer able to find work. He plans to return to Puebla.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

Kashi_background.jpg
A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, b

A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, but she still has 40 hours/week at CVS. Because she doesn’t have a social security number, her family doesn’t quality for the payment protection program.

M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impo

M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impossible for him to send money back to Mexico to his wife and eight children, who he hasn’t seen in 14 years.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.

E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 a

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries

O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries to get by. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March and kept in isolation – at one point he had to be intubated because he has type-2 diabetes and was at a higher risk.

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 a

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes,

G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes, but has lost most of this work since March.

F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food de

F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food delivery. News traveled fast and he was no longer able to find work. He plans to return to Puebla.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

Kashi_background.jpg
A.V.
M.R.
Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.
E.H.
Rita Dentino
O.M.
Rita Dentino
Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.
G.R.
F.M.
Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.
Kashi_background.jpg
A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, b
M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impo
Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.
E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.
Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 a
O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries
Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 a
Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.
G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes,
F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food de
Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.
A.V.

A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, but she still has 40 hours/week at CVS. Because she doesn’t have a social security number, her family doesn’t quality for the payment protection program.

This is an excerpt from Newest Americans, which was featured in The Nation on September 28, 2020.

M.R.

M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impossible for him to send money back to Mexico to his wife and eight children, who he hasn’t seen in 14 years.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

E.H.

E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.

Rita Dentino

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

O.M.

O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries to get by. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March and kept in isolation – at one point he had to be intubated because he has type-2 diabetes and was at a higher risk.

Rita Dentino

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

G.R.

G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes, but has lost most of this work since March.

F.M.

F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food delivery. News traveled fast and he was no longer able to find work. He plans to return to Puebla.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

A.V., 43-year-old mother of three, is from Mexico City and came to America in 2000. Before the pandemic, she was working almost 80 hours/week at three jobs, in addition to pursuing a GED. As the economy shut down, she lost both her part-time jobs, but she still has 40 hours/week at CVS. Because she doesn’t have a social security number, her family doesn’t quality for the payment protection program.

M.R., 52, is originally a farmer from Puebla, Mexico and has been living in America for 17 years. He works as a day laborer doing almost anything needed by local contractors. He is undocumented and the loss of work from the pandemic has made it impossible for him to send money back to Mexico to his wife and eight children, who he hasn’t seen in 14 years.

Day laborers wait for work at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 7, 2020.

E.H., 45, is undocumented and has been in the US for 16 years, sending money back to his family in Mexico. He survived the virus but lost most of his work as a cook in local kitchens, where he faced discrimination within his own community.

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

O.M., 45, came to America in 2007 from Mexico City and works in construction. Pre-pandemic, he worked regularly for local companies, but has only worked one week in the past few months. Both he and his wife are undocumented and rely on food pantries to get by. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March and kept in isolation – at one point he had to be intubated because he has type-2 diabetes and was at a higher risk.

Rita Dentino, the 75-year-old Director of Casa Freehold, which fights for immigrant rights, took on the efforts of food distribution from a local food pantry when COVID-19 hit in mid-March. Dentino, who remains unpaid, began as a volunteer in 2004 and took over as director in 2007. A resilient advocate, she is fighting for the support of mixed-status families who have been largely ignored by the government.

Day laborers wait for work in Freehold, New Jersey on June 9, 2020.

G.R., 52, a domestic worker, left Puebla, Mexico, in 1992 and entered the United States through California. She came directly to Freehold to join her father, who was already here, working as a day laborer. Since 2010, she has worked cleaning homes, but has lost most of this work since March.

F.M., 66, from Puebla, Mexico, used to upholster car interiors. In March he was infected by Covid-19. The nurses pitched in to pay for his taxi-ride home when he was released, and Casa Freehold arranged for funds to pay for his medicines and food delivery. News traveled fast and he was no longer able to find work. He plans to return to Puebla.

Day laborers wait at the 6 Twelve food store in Freehold, New Jersey on June 26, 2020.

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