The Road to Opportunity: How Moving Companies Are Opening Doors for Immigrants in the U.S.

Moving Jobs—A First Step for Many Immigrants

In cities all across America—like New York, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles—moving jobs are often one of the easiest ways for immigrants to start earning money quickly. These jobs don’t usually require a college degree, fluent English, or U.S. work experience. What matters most is being strong, reliable, and ready to work hard. Movers pack boxes, wrap furniture, load and unload trucks, and drive long distances to help families relocate. It’s physically demanding work, but many companies are willing to train new workers, especially those who are dependable. For many immigrants, it’s more than a job—it’s a way into the American workforce. It’s a space where people from all over the world work side by side, learning the language, making friends, and gaining confidence. Most importantly, moving work pays weekly or even daily, which is critical when someone has just arrived and needs to send money home or pay for rent and food.

Carlos’s Story—From Lifting Boxes to Leading Teams

Carlos came to San Diego from El Salvador in 2021 with a small backpack and a big dream. He didn’t speak much English and had no job lined up. Within a week, a friend introduced him to a moving company that needed help. At first, he just carried boxes and followed instructions. The days were long and his muscles ached, but he never gave up. Slowly, Carlos began to understand the language and the rhythm of the work. “Every box I lifted was a step forward,” he says. After just eight months, he was promoted to crew leader. Now he oversees teams of three to five workers and handles customer communication himself. His English has improved, he earns more, and he’s saving to start his own moving business. “America gave me a chance,” he says. “Now I want to give jobs to others like me.”

The Ukrainian Family That Started Over in Chicago

When the war in Ukraine began, the Hrytsenko family fled their home and found safety in Chicago. Ihor, the father, had worked as a truck driver back home, but in the U.S., he needed time and paperwork to drive professionally. He found a job with a local moving company and quickly became known for his strength, punctuality, and good attitude. His wife, Olena, was a nurse in Ukraine but couldn’t practice in the U.S. until she passed English and medical exams. While Ihor worked moving furniture and lifting couches, Olena stayed home with the children and studied. “It wasn’t easy,” Ihor says, “but every job helped us feel more normal.” Two years later, Olena is now working part-time at a clinic, and their kids are doing well in school. The moving job helped them pay rent, buy winter clothes, and begin a new chapter in their lives. “It’s not the job that matters,” Ihor says. “It’s what it allows you to do.”

Building a Business from the Ground Up

Marisol moved from Mexico to Houston alone, with no family and no legal documents. She found work by waiting outside a hardware store each morning, hoping someone would need extra hands. Over time, she got calls to help with moves—wrapping dishes, packing boxes, cleaning apartments. Customers appreciated her honesty and care. Slowly, she began to get regular clients. Then she hired other women who, like her, needed work but had few options. Today, Marisol owns a small but growing moving and cleaning company. She manages jobs through WhatsApp, drives her own van, and proudly pays her workers fair wages. “This is not just a job—it’s how we survive, how we grow,” she says. Her clients often write thank-you notes or give generous tips. Marisol’s story shows that even people with nothing can build something strong, step by step.

The Power of English—and the Power of People

For many immigrants, learning English while working in moving services is a game-changer. Movers work in teams, talk to clients, read work orders, and take phone calls. Over time, the daily contact builds confidence. In New Jersey, one company offers free English lessons every Saturday for its workers. “We want our team to succeed,” says the owner, who is also an immigrant. Luis, a mover from Honduras, says the lessons helped him feel brave enough to speak to customers directly. “Before, I stayed quiet. Now I can explain things and even make jokes,” he says. But beyond language, moving jobs also teach teamwork and trust. Workers often come from different countries—Nepal, Haiti, Venezuela, Syria—but they support each other like family. They share food, rides, and advice. Some even help each other find apartments or prepare for immigration interviews. “We carry more than furniture,” one mover says. “We carry each other.”

A Future in Every Box

Moving jobs are not easy. They can involve long hours, heavy lifting, and little rest. Sometimes workers are underpaid or treated unfairly. But for many immigrants, they are also a lifeline—a way to survive, grow, and dream. Some workers move on to become truck drivers, business owners, or even train others. Others use the money they earn to go to school, send their children to college, or bring family members to the U.S. The job may begin with lifting boxes, but it can lead to building a life. From Carlos in California to Marisol in Texas, from Ukrainian refugees to Central American day laborers, their stories are full of strength and hope. They show that even in the hardest jobs, there is dignity—and even in the simplest work, there is possibility.