Immigrant Owned by Jonathan Michael Castillo

Issue 182

America has always been a place of promise and potential. People from all over the world for generations have immigrated to this country for a fresh start and a better future for their children. Small businesses and an entrepreneurial spirit have long been part of the integral fabric of thriving American communities. Working at a small business or starting one, is a very common entry point into the American economy and jobs market for immigrants who are new to the United States. It’s easy to take for granted the local hair salon, convenience store, laundromat, or hardware store in your neighborhood, many of which are owned or operated by immigrants. My interest is in building relationships that explore the roots of immigrant business, the local and specific spaces that give character to any neighborhood.These places are where people carve out space for themselves, their families, and new immigrants on their own terms.Through portraiture and photographs of interior spaces, my work renders an essential and often overlooked part of the American economy. Many people think that immigrants come to the United States to “take”, but the reality is they contribute to our economy by creating jobs and paying taxes. Immigrants take enterprising risks and are the embodiment of the American dream. My work is a reminder that immigrant owned businesses are as American as it gets.

A selection of images from Immigrant Owned are permanently on view as large scale lightboxes at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in the Terminal 5 Baggage Claim.

Jonathan Michael Castillo (he/him) lives and works in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

jonmichaelphoto.com |@joncastillophoto