Immigrant Voters Are A Waking Giant This Election

When it comes to voting, I practice what I preach. At a time when asking people to go vote through a social media post suffices many, for me, it just isn't enough. I became a naturalized citizen last year and had been eagerly waiting to cast my vote early this election. As if voting this election wasn’t surreal enough, doing so for the first time was an experience that truly marked an important milestone in my life. A journey 27 years in the making, becoming a citizen with voting privileges has been a goal of mine since I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was only 16 years-old back in 2009. Now as part of the more than 23 million U.S. immigrants eligible to vote in this 2020 presidential election, I believe more than ever in the power immigrant voters can play in this election, and in every election for that matter. 

No matter the outcome of this election, or the turnout at the polls from naturalized citizens, moving forward, it is important that we incorporate holistic approaches to the naturalization process that integrates information, training, and resources on voting and other civic responsibilities that come with becoming a new citizen.

I am lucky to have the opportunity to work on expanding this increasing demographic of voting power as an accredited Department of Justice representative with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. Everyday, I help guide and represent eligible immigrants through a naturalization process designed to discourage them from even applying. From financial obstacles to language barriers, constant changes to federal immigration policies these past four years have made the naturalization pathway more difficult for eligible residents. Even so, approximately 834,000 immigrants became naturalized citizens nationwide last year, with more than 3,300 in New Mexico, according to the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services department. 

Jabez Ledres at his home in Albuquerque, NM.

Earlier this year, the Pew Research Center reported that in 2020, one of every ten eligible voters is a naturalized citizen. While these numbers show progress, there are still many naturalized citizens that never go onto fulfilling the ultimate civic responsibility as a new citizen. Economic, social, and language barriers still keep many from our immigrant communities away from the polls. Although voting if free, many low-income immigrants can’t afford to take time off work to vote, for others, language barriers make it hard, if not impossible, to navigate alternative forms of voting, discouraging many from doing so. These are all factors made worse by the onset of the pandemic which has disproportionately affected our immigrant population. 

No matter the outcome of this election, or the turnout at the polls from naturalized citizens, moving forward, it is important that we incorporate holistic approaches to the naturalization process that integrates information, training, and resources on voting and other civic responsibilities that come with becoming a new citizen. Working at the NMILC, I have seen first hand how talking to applicants about the power of voting, and the effects it can have on their lives and communities, can create a drive force that pushes them to make their voices heard at the polls. Last year, we carried out this holistic approach while assisting more than 900 applicants from 50 countries of origin, many of which voted for the first time this year as well. 

Equipping newly naturalized citizens with the tools and information needed to become active voters is my way of paying it forward. I encourage New Mexicans to look past the social media posts and take a more active role in helping develop this powerful and vast demographic of eligible voters. From interpreters to pro bono legal professionals, there are so many ways to take an active role in increasing the representation of our communities at the polls. Together, our voice is louder. 

I encourage New Mexicans to look past the social media posts and take a more active role in helping develop this powerful and vast demographic of eligible voters.

Jabez Ledres is a Filipino immigrant, first time voter, and D.O.J. Accredited Representative working citizenship/permanent residency cases at the NMILC.