Philadelphia, a new worker-owned collective, Masa Cooperativa, uses indigenous corn to create authentic corn masa to sell to local restaurants. But this collective is not unique; it is just one example of a new trend. Across the United States, undocumented entrepreneurs are increasingly creating their own businesses where they can earn a living despite lacking legal work status.
For many of the nearly 11 million undocumented individuals living in the United States, a significant barrier to economic prosperity is the requirement for work authorization. Unlike U.S. citizens, born or naturalized, who are always authorized to work here, foreign citizens must rely on their immigration status for the ability to work. For that reason, those without legal status cannot obtain work authorization and so are generally unable to work legally.
With a significant labor shortage affecting the United States and no discernable immigration reform laws in sight, undocumented individuals are turning to business ownership in order to creatively pursue their passions without violating immigration laws.
Across the United States, the trend of undocumented entrepreneurs is growing. According to a bipartisan nonprofit group, New American Economy, there are over 815,000 undocumented entrepreneurs in the United States– a notable increase from 770,000 in 2016. This growth can be attributed to the lack of legal employment options for...
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