The Journey to Jackson

Leer in español

If you haven't seen the feature story in Planet Jackson Hole, it's worth a read. Author Park Dunn-Morrison paints a vivid picture of one man's harrowing journey across the US Mexico Border. We at the Latino Resource Center (LRC) are delighted to see that the Latino community is starting to get coverage in the media. Ten years ago, it would be unthinkable for a major Jackson publication to run a feature article like this. Stories like The Journey to Jackson offer members of our community a better understanding of how hard many immigrants work to get here.

However, we at LRC think it’s important to point out that Luis’ story does not represent every Immigrant’s story. Not every Latino you see in Jackson crossed the border illegally. While no official data on undocumented immigrants exists, LRC estimates that close to 50% of Jackson’s Latino population consists of documented immigrants. Over 50% of the Latino population have lived in Jackson for more than six years. Many are proud to call Jackson their home, and have no intention of returning to their country of origin. Most Latinos are heavily invested in Jackson, with stable jobs, children enrolled in the Jackson school system, and a shared love of all the things that make Jackson a wonderful place to live.

"NOT EVERY LATINO YOU SEE IN JACKSON CROSSED THE BORDER ILLEGALLY"

Yes, it’s true that the majority of Latinos work behind the scenes in the service industry. But they are an invaluable part of our community. Without the hard work of immigrant workers, Jackson’s economy would grind to a halt. Glance into any kitchen or hotel in Jackson, and you’re guaranteed to find hard working Latino immigrants. They are the backbone of the local economy!

Within our community, there is a common misconception that most Latinos send the majority of their earnings across the border to Mexico. On the contrary, a recent study conducted by the University of Wyoming found that the immigrant population of Jackson spends 80% of their disposable income within the local economy (the exact opposite of the number cited by the article). For every $100, the average immigrant only sends $7.34 to their relatives in a different country.

We hope JH Planet’s cover story sparks a conversation in the community. We at the Latino Resource Center care deeply about building bridges across cultures and encouraging diversity within our community. Sharing stories like Luis’ is a wonderful way to foster awareness. Continue the conversation at latinorc.org or email us at communications@latinorc.org.