July 14, 2026
Professors Jacqueline Bhabha and Kathryn Sikkink discuss the importance of defending and protecting the constitutional rights of non-citizens.
As extremism and xenophobic sentiment continue to rise, Professors Bhabha and Sikkink underscore the need for vigilance, compassion, and civic responsibility. As neighbors, we have a duty to affirm the humanity of every person who calls our communities home.
“People who work in this country pay taxes, for the vast majority. For decades we’ve known that many noncitizens, including undocumented people, contribute to the state coffers more than they take out. They’re often not claiming pensions, and they often arrive already educated, so they’re not drawing on an education budget, but they’re paying taxes,” Professor Bhaba said. “They really are our neighbors. Many noncitizens we share our cities and towns with do essential work, as we saw during COVID…their humanity and generosity need to be acknowledged.”
Building stronger communities means more than engaging with local elected officials. It also means looking out for our neighbors, challenging harmful misconceptions when we encounter them, and helping foster communities where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. By strengthening these everyday connections, we help uphold the values that allow our democracy to thrive.