Unfair Treatment of Immigrant Workers

As the airbus 300 made its final approach along San Francisco international airport, I saw the Golden Gate Bridge sitting on its splendor lit by the rising sun. I then closed my eyes and said to myself “I am finally here.” Thus, my journey in search of a better life began. A few minutes later I was off the plane and was already making my way to the customs and immigration check point. I handed my papers to the immigrations agent, he took a look at my passport and documents and without asking any questions handed them back to me, smiled and said, “Welcome to the United States.”

Two months after arriving in the United States, I found myself working long hours and struggling with homesickness. I also discovered the racial tensions and discriminations that were directed at every foreign Information Technology worker. My discovery was also augmented by the comments made by one of my white American born co-worker named Al. He said, “We are being invaded here, they are taking away our jobs”- referring to the arrivals of more and more foreign IT workers. Not only that, my company was also discriminating us and we were not properly compensated as the signed contract indicated.

Before a foreign national could work for a United States company and could come to work in the United States, a contract is required by the Department of Labor that would state how much this particular person would be paid, and that the salary must not be lower or greater than the current existing wage on his field of specialty. Then, the company must submit that same contract to the Department of Justice before a visa could be issued.

In my case and for many other foreign workers, our contract which was approved by both departments was breached. We were not even paid half of what the signed contract stated. We worked long hours without compensation. And by the end of the year our W2s’ proved it. And every time we asked or complained, the company would then ask us how much our salary was in the Philippines, and then they would ask us to compare it to what we are making here. And if that answer would not satisfy us, they then would threaten to cancel our visa. Therefore, all I can do is bite my tongue, put up and look at the bright side- I am are here and someday I will get my greencard and I then will be able to live the American dream.