Coming to the U.S.
Rudy Lozano Leadership Academy
By Imelda Vera
Immigration has always been an issue in the United States. Immigrants are often mistreated because they are undocumented. I believe this is unfair; everyone in this so-called land of opportunities should have equal rights.
Unfortunately, this reality has hit my family. Many families suffer because of the injustice against immigrants.
My dad was born and lived in Guanajato, Mexico. He noticed that the money he had been making was not enough. He took the hard and hurtful decision of leaving everything in search of a better life for my family. My mom wasn’t thrilled with the decision but she respected what my dad had in mind for us.
Days later he attempted to cross the border. Since we didn’t have enough money, my dad along with six other people made it across the border without a “coyote,” a smuggler who helps you get across the border. They charge you money for their services. It is pretty expensive. It took them an exhausting four days. After making it into the U.S., they slept in storage rooms.
Finding a job was extremely difficult for them. They traveled a lot to different states with no luck. They decided to try Chicago and were lucky enough to find work. My dad started missing us, so he called my mom and told her to come to the United States. My mom was not happy with this news, and refused. Then she realized this was the best choice for all of us.
My mom paid the coyote $3,000. My mom, four siblings and me were on our way to a new life. July 4 was our first attempt to cross the border. We were all nervous and scared of what might happen. Our worries became a reality.
We got caught and were arrested for eight long hours. They released us and sent us back to Mexico. We made our second attempt the next day. This time everything went well, we made it across safely through a river. We were finally in this new world.
We got to Los Angeles, California and took a plane to Chicago. We met up with my dad, and everyone was happy to see him. He took us to an apartment that he had ready for us. We now needed to adjust to a new lifestyle.
We didn’t like it at all. We missed our beautiful Mexico and we wanted to go back home.
A year passed and we returned to Mexico. My dad applied for permanent residency for all of us in the U.S. In 1991 it came. My dad wanted us back so we flew back to Chicago. Ever since then we have been here and we have learned to love this land.
My mom, age 51, told me, “It was all worth it in the end, to see my kids grow up and turn out the way they did makes me proud. I’m thankful we made the decision to come to this country.”
Even though there are many injustices against immigrants, I agree with my mom and think the United States has given us the future we need to succeed.