New Online Series Gives Undocumented Laborers a Voice

The bilingual technology and pop culture website Tek Lado has just published the first installment of a new series, “The Strip Mall Diaries,” which gives voice to the marginalized community of undocumented laborers in Philadelphia. Because they live in fear of deportation, these workers are afraid to speak out about the challenges they face.

The series starts by talking to 41-year-old Jesús, from Ecuador, who rides his bicycle to a strip mall parking lot each morning (along with dozens of other men) in the hopes that a contractor will choose him for work. His life here is not what he expected when he left Ecuador. His disillusionment is profound. 

KJ