Taking the census in Kansas City, I see the truth about immigrants’ value | Opinion

I don’t listen to the anti-immigrant vitriol blowing out of Washington, D.C. I have seen firsthand the motivations of immigrants and the benefits they bring to our country — and to my family.

For the past five years, I have conducted interviews in Kansas City for the U.S. census. Every month, the census randomly selects roughly one-tenth of 1% of U.S. households, primarily to measure the nation’s unemployment rate.

In most cases, I survey the same household eight times over a period of 16 months. I enjoy getting to know these families, sharing their dreams and milestones.

We know that about 7% of metropolitan Kansas City residents are first-generation immigrants. I have interviewed hundreds of immigrant households during my tenure with the census.

Though increasingly cautious in recent years, these immigrant families invariably are hospitable and cooperative. Their stories of courage and sacrifice inspire me.

Some are fleeing persecution. Most are seeking economic opportunity. They aren’t looking for handouts. Their professions run the gamut of the American economy: doctors, nurses, engineers, meat-packers, caregivers, landscapers, maids, restaurant workers and more.

These recent immigrants’ job opportunities often are limited by language, education and unfamiliarity with American culture. They are working hard to advance beyond entry-level jobs — and they don’t complain.

Before my work with the census, I was familiar with statistics that immigrants are significantly less likely to commit crime than the general U.S. population and that immigrants (even those who broke laws to get here) contribute more in taxes than they receive in government assistance. Now, I can put a face on those statistics.

I could bore you further with the macroeconomic benefits of immigrants growing our economy or, inversely, when countries (such as Japan) kept their doors closed, their economy suffered.

Instead, let me give a personal example of the benefits of immigration.

My father was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. Once discovered, the cancer had already spread throughout his body. The initial prognosis was grim — less than six months to live.

Thanks to innovative immunotherapy, my father was given two additional years of vigorous life. The two doctors leading his medical team were from India and Lebanon. Their nursing staff included immigrants from Bulgaria, Mexico and the Philippines.

In today’s political climate, I can’t help but wonder how many of these healing angels would choose to come to my country.

We are all immigrants. The earliest of us arrived by land bridge from Asia thousands of years ago. My ancestors arrived by sailing ship from England, Germany and Sweden.

No matter their origin, our ancestors left the comfort of the familiar for the opportunity of the unknown. You can see that same courage in more recent immigrants.

Don’t be blinded by the harsh rhetoric of Washington, D.C. Open your eyes to the contributions of immigrants we encounter every day. They are living the American dream — and supporting everyone’s dreams. We should celebrate them, welcome them and draw inspiration from their resilience.

Chuck Battey is a retired businessman. He lives in Prairie Village.