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Parents with child in front of exhibit

Outdoor Photo Exhibit Showing Migrant Workers’ Stories Travels to Washington, D.C.

In March, the ILR School’s Worker Institute brought its photo exhibition, “Stories of Belonging: Central American TPS Workers & the Defiant Struggle to Stay Home in the U.S.,” to Washington, D.C. Over 100 people attended the community reception–including legislators, labor leaders, TPS workers and media–and thousands visited the exhibit during the week.

The project chronicled the experiences of Central American migrant workers with Temporary Protective Status (TPS). TPS gives over 1.2 million workers in the U.S. a legal work permit, with around 325,000 of those workers coming from Central America. The exhibition explored these workers’ struggle to belong and, increasingly, to remain in the U.S.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's office provided remarks at the exhibition, and six local TPS workers shared their stories. Evelyn de Jesus, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and President of LCLAA (Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, AFL-CIO) shared how TPS Workers are critical members of the U.S. Labor movement, while Nelson Aguilar, business manager of the Carpenters Union Local 197, President of LCLAA’s DC Chapter, and a former TPS holder himself, shared his story of belonging and fighting for permanent residency in the U.S. The Venezuelan TPS community came out in force to show their support. Two national Spanish-speaking TV stations, Telemundo and Univision, also attended the exhibition at the nation’s capital. Additionally, the event found coverage in Voices of America, Metro Latino USA and the Labor Heritage Power Hour Podcast. 
 

Crowd viewing the TPS exhibit in Washington D.C.

“I am proud of the impact this project is having nationally, and I cannot wait to take it to Houston next,” said Patricia Campos-Medina ’96, M.S. ’97, executive director of ILR’s Worker Institute and lead researcher on the project.

Following last year’s successful showings in Brooklyn, Jersey City and Ithaca, pictured above, the exhibit will travel to downtown Houston, TX, on March 24-26. The upcoming exhibition will also feature a reception on March 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.