“A Day Without a Mexican” film sheds Light on the contributions made by immigrants. To bring awareness to the vital role immigrants play in supporting our local and national economy, the Peace & Justice Center is screening “A Day Without a Mexican” on Friday, September 20th, 7:00 pm at the Madelyn Helling Library, Nevada City. Suggested Donation $10
A Day Without a Mexican
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This mockumentary film is set in California (but is applicable to the entire nation) as it ponders the potentially catastrophic results that would occur if Hispanics were to suddenly disappear. The film proposes that without immigrant workers grocery shelves would soon be empty and the lack of Latino farm workers, cooks, hotel employees, gardeners, nannies, construction crews, and military personnel, would lead to economic disaster that would threaten the lifestyle of all Americans. By 2020, researchers estimate that Latinos will fuel nearly a quarter of all U.S. GDP growth, and represent 12.7% of the country’s total GDP. Helping to power that growth will be the growing number of young Latinos who will be joining the workforce as an older generation of American workers retire. Research reviewed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicates that between 50 and 75 percent of unauthorized immigrants pay federal, state, and local taxes. Undocumented immigrants rely on fake or stolen Social Security numbers to get jobs. Although they pay an estimated $7 billion dollars per year into the Social Security system via FICA tax withholding, they rarely receive any benefits according to a Social Security report. Most of the money ends up in the trust funds from which Social Security benefits are paid. Q & A discussion will follow the film. The event is free but donations will be gratefully accepted to aid in humanitarian relief efforts for those currently incarcerated in federal detention camps. Contact Lorraine at ncpeaceandjustice@gmail.com if interested in joining humanitarian trip to border Oct. 2-8.