AFSC Launches Hispanic Celebrity PSA Campaign Highlighting Immigrant Contributions
The American Friends Service Committee has launched a historic Hispanic celebrity PSA campaign emphasizing immigrants' economic and cultural contributions while countering harmful narratives about immigrant communities.
The American Friends Service Committee has launched its first-ever Hispanic celebrity public service announcement campaign titled "Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger." The bilingual, nonpartisan initiative enlists trusted voices from entertainment and activism to uplift immigrant dignity and spotlight their contributions to American society.
Nearly half of the U.S. foreign-born workforce is Latino, driving key economic sectors, while Latinos overall account for 80% of U.S. labor force growth. "Immigrants make our communities stronger – neighbors, coworkers, students, and business owners," said Brian Minter, chief marketing and communications officer for AFSC. "But right now, immigrants are being detained and disappeared, tearing apart families and neighborhoods."
The campaign features prominent cultural leaders including activist Dolores Huerta, actors Melissa Barrera, Tonatiuh, and Mishel Prada, Grammy-winning artists Los Tigres Del Norte, and other influential Hispanic figures. Their participation aims to humanize immigrant communities and advocate for more equitable immigration policies through personal stories and cultural pride.
Economic data underscores immigrant contributions: Latino immigrants represent 52% of all Latino-owned employer businesses, with Hispanic-owned firms employing 3 million workers nationwide. Latino-owned businesses grew by 44% between 2018 and 2023, significantly outpacing non-Latino peers. Immigrants paid $579 billion in U.S. taxes in 2022, including $96.7 billion from undocumented immigrants, most from Latin America.
Essential industries rely heavily on immigrant labor, with more than 500,000 Hispanic immigrant workers supporting U.S. agriculture and Latinos comprising one in four workers across food manufacturing, wholesale, and service industries. "Immigrants aren't just part of America's story; they are central to its success," said Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers.
The campaign aligns with Hispanic Heritage Month and will run through year-end, distributing content across traditional and digital media platforms. By leveraging cultural influencers, AFSC aims to deliver a values-driven message that immigrants strengthen American communities. Additional information about the initiative is available at https://afsc.org/stronger-immigrants.