Residente Breaks His Silence on Immigration Raids Within the United States

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Music has the power to impact social issues, something exemplified by René "Residente" Pérez Joglar, who has consistently used his platform to this end, particularly immigration in the United States.

One example of this is his participation in 'Immigrants (We Get the Job Done),' a standout track from 'The Hamilton Mixtape' that he recently revisited to comment on current events.

Through his account on X, the Puerto Rican artist shared a message of solidarity with migrants accompanied by a clip of the song: "To our Dominican brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and our Latin American brothers and sisters in the United States, we are always with you. No human being is illegal," he wrote.

This track has become an anthem for migrants in the U.S., especially amid controversial immigration policies.

The impact of 'Immigrants'

Released in 2016, 'Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)' is part of 'The Hamilton Mixtape,' a collection of songs inspired by or written for Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed Broadway musical, Hamilton.

The song features artists such as Snow Tha Product, K'naan, and Riz MC, who joined Residente to voice their opposition to discrimination and injustice.

Residente's lyrics stand out for their raw emotion and power, depicting the sacrifices immigrants make in search of a better life. Lines like "by land or by water" resonated stand out.

Residente's Advocacy for Migrants

Residente's involvement in the song is just one example of his dedication to immigrant rights.

In 2022 he released 'This is Not America,' a musical collaboration with Ibeyi that critiques the U.S. appropriation of the term "America." In an interview, Residente stated: "From the United States' perspective, everything shown in the video isn't 'America.'"

In 2010, during his time with Calle 13, Residente released 'Pa'l Norte,' a song dedicated to the journey of migrants leaving their homelands.

That same year, Calle 13 also released 'Latinoamérica,' a track celebrating Latin American unity and highlighting the cultural, natural, and social elements that define the region.

Residente's songs are not only calls to action but also celebrations of the resilience and hard work of immigrants. Through his powerful lyrics, he brings attention to stories often overlooked by the media.