The Immigrant Experience in Music: 25 Heartfelt Songs to Reflect on This Fourth of July

AnonymousEntertainment2025-07-041818
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Perhaps never in recent memory has the angst of the immigrant in the United States felt as acute as it does today, in the middle of President Trump’s often brutal immigration crackdown.

While the vicissitudes of the immigrant experience have always been a constant in history, across time and lands, they are permanently front of mind in the U.S., which since the 1970s has been the main destination for international migrants, according to the World Migrant Report. Today, more than 50 million immigrants live in the country, with the biggest population coming from Mexico, the big neighbor to the South.

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No wonder then that music in Spanish has long served as a vehicle for immigrant stories, of every stripe. As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day in the U.S., we dove into those immigrant songs that have spoken to us through the years, but particularly now, at a time when we – Billboard’s Latin music crew — are taking stock of our personal immigrant experiences.

We listened to favorites like Los Tigres Del Norte’s “De Paisano a Paisano,” which was released in 2000, but narrates in chilling detail the scorn and rejection suffered by the working immigrant today; and Ricardo Arjona’s “Mojado,” the ode to the everyday undocumented immigrant worker, who “Isn’t from here because his name isn’t registered, nor from there, because he left (no es de aquí porque su nombre no aparece en los archivos,Ni es de allá porque se fue).”

There’s the cheeky, sardonic “Frijolero” by Mexican alt rockers Molotov from 2003 (‘Don’t call me gringo, you f—in’ beaner, Stay on your side of that goddamn river”), and Residente’s angry “This Is Not America,” which, with words, reclaims the land taken.

And then, there’s those songs that yearn for the home and country lost, like Celia Cruz’s “Por Si Acaso No Regreso.”

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For years, we have collected songs of patriotism for Fourth of July. This year, our list of songs reflect frustration, anger, angst, resignation, but also, a sliver of hope.

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Lani

This collection, 'The Immigrant Experience in Music' on the Fourth of July serves as a poignantly significant reminder that our national celebrations have deep resonance for those who seek refuge and find freedom through music. A must-listen journey into humanity’s resilience.

2025-07-09 12:16:30 reply
Lillith

This collection of 25 heartfelt songs celebrating the immigrant experience in music provides a poignant and musical backdrop to reflect on diversity, strengths overcoming challenges during Independence Day. Truly an enlightening journey through sonic storytelling.

2025-07-09 12:16:44 reply
Rudy

This poignant and thought-provoking compilation of 25 heartfelt tracks highlights the immigrant experience in music, serving as a testament to our collective journey across borders during this Fourth of July. Each melody speaks volumes about resilience through rhythm.

2025-07-12 11:07:23 reply
Kalista

This compilation is a moving tribute to immigrants' journeys, weaving together 25 heartfelt songs that not only celebrate diversity but also serve as an anthem for the unwavering spirit of perseverance and hope during this Fourth Of July festival.

2025-07-12 11:07:53 reply
Emery

This compilation of 25 heartfelt songs celebrating the immigrant experience on Fourth of July is a beautiful testament to diversity and humanity's unyielding spirit in music, inspiring us all with their rhythmic stories.

2025-07-15 19:19:02 reply
Kara

This selection of 25 songs for the Fourth is a poignant reminder that music, like immigration itself—the adventurous migration across borders in search of freedom and opportunities--never ceases to unite us with rich narratives.

2025-07-22 10:17:49 reply
Isaias

This readable compilation of 25 heartfelt songs about the immigrant experience on this Fourth of July captures vivid emotions and challenges faced by newcomers, exquisitely illustrating both their dreams deferred yet perseverance never-ending.

2025-07-26 02:39:38 reply
Fleur

This piece expertly curates 25 heartfelt songs that serve as a poignant reflection on the immigrant experience during this special Fourth of July weekend. They echo both triumphs and trials, bringing life to their melodies through powerful lyrics reflecting hope amidst struggles.

2025-07-26 02:39:54 reply

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