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The topic of immigration (legal and illegal) is a very polarizing subject today. I knew finding someone willing to discuss this with me, would be tough. Before approaching anyone for an interview, numerous thoughts went through my mind as to what the reaction would be. why are you asking me this? Do I know you? do you work for Ice? Are you mocking me? These questions might seem like a stretch until you factor in how sensitive and politically correct, we must be in 2019. Eventually, I remembered a friend of mine from high school. We didn’t keep in touch, but I did have her number, so I called her. After some catching up, I was able to conduct an interview. She didn’t seem concerned for her safety or anonymity, so she let me use her name for this project.
Maria is a 24-year-old senior at the University of Maryland College Park. She is majoring in chemistry, with hopes of becoming a Doctor. To start things off, I asked her when she was brought to the United States. She was brought to the U.S. when she was seven years old, by my immigrant parents. Maria has now lived in America for 17 years. I asked her how she would describe their migration into America. Maria described how her parents moved from El Salvador to Mexico because it would be easier to get into the United States. “I understand that there’s a right way to do it,” Maria said, “but life isn’t always right and wrong”. Her answer made me rethink the entire scope of questioning.
Initially, I just wanted to know about her journey but now I needed some perspective. I wanted to know what she thought about the current immigration debate, so I asked. According to Maria, “no human is illegal”. Most people would disagree with this notion but for the sake of comfort, I didn’t press the issue. Maria added that being an illegal immigrant means living in fear of deportation; there is no promise of security. her 19-year-old brother was deported when she was 17, and her family has never been the same since. It’s been seven years now that she hasn’t seen him and don’t know if she ever will.
I also wanted to know if there was a culture shock for her and her family after making the move. According to Maria, the adjustment period was tough for her parents. Having to relearn the basics such as speaking English and American culture. For her and her brother, it was seamless. They enrolled in a local school in El Paseo, Texas. According to Maria, she had no problem blending in. The language barrier was tough initially but after a couple of semesters taking English courses, she never looked back. The cultural make-up of a city like El Paso also helped her. “El Paso is very diverse,” Maria said, “so I was able to gradually assimilate into the American culture while being surrounded by mine.” That would soon change when Maria and her family are forced to move again.
In 2010 Maria’s father moved his Janitorial company to Washington, DC, where she attended Roosevelt Senior High School. “This was when it really hit me, that I am far away from home,” Maria said as she reflected on her life in DC. ‘Everything was fast-paced. I felt lost.” Maria talked about how she had to learn to like American food. In school, she always packed a homemade lunch because the cafeteria food was “unbearable”. The homesickness started to set in more after a month in school. Roosevelt is predominantly black, with a small percentage of Hispanic students. She has problems fitting in with her peers and it made her introverted. On the weekends she would help her father at his job while other kids were out. Kids her age would ask her why she did that on the weekends. “It sounded foreign to them,” she said, “The idea of working was instilled in me from a very early age”.
In 2012, she was given the opportunity to come out of the shadows as an illegal immigrant and become a “Dreamer” (under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a.k.a. DACA). Despite the displacement of her brother, she gained peace of mind knowing that, for four years, she would be protected from deportation. DACA has given her the opportunity to work and go to school. she paid for my bachelor’s degree out of my own pocket (no student loans, no government assistance). Maria went on to express how she felt about the current climate. “I can’t tell you how disheartening it is to feel like the President doesn’t support the Dreamers,” Maria said, “The certainty I had prior to the last 2 years, is gone,” I asked her what policies, implemented by the current administration, made her fearful. “I don’t really know” Maria answered, “There’s a bunch of news being thrown out there, and it's very intimidating.” With the divisiveness surrounding the issue of immigration, it’s tough to determine if Americans are for or against immigration.
“My family and I have made so many sacrifices to be here in the U.S.; I deserve an opportunity to demonstrate that I can be an American citizen. I am a first-generation college graduate, currently excelling in my corporate position. I am not a criminal — I’ve never even had a traffic violation. I go through background checks, I pay my taxes, and all other fees required as a DACA recipient.”
For the most part, I think Americans support legal immigration. And cases like Maria’s, where she was brought by her parents, to America, are dependent on the individual. Maria has never been in trouble with the law, has a decent job, and pays taxes. I sincerely doubt any fair-minded American would want her deported.
Despite all her efforts to her community and to this country, she firmly believes the President doesn’t believe that I am up to par to be a law-abiding citizen. “The U.S. is the only home I have ever known, and I'm worried about losing everything I have ever worked toward.”
Toward the end of the interview, I asked her to provide an objective solution to our immigration problem. “It’s impossible to be objective in my position” Maria Said, “but I'll try,” Maria suggested that every undocumented immigrant should be pardoned and given legal status. In exchange for this concession, the security around our border will be increased. “On the subject of border security” I continued, “would you be ok with a wall being part of the deal?” Maria took a long pause. She then responded. “To a lot of immigrants, the wall represents a barrier.” I proceeded to play devil’s advocate. “Isn’t the wall supposed to be a barrier?” She proceeded to clarify her previous statement. “By barrier, I don’t mean in a physical sense. It implies that people are not welcome.” Maria’s plan would not include a wall, but it would include better surveillance technology.
I decided to end the interview on a lighter note. I asked her how America has changed her and her family. “It made me lazy,” she said jokingly’ “Everything is so convenient but everything that glitters isn’t gold.” Maria talked about the fast food industry and how rare it was for her to have a home-cooked meal. “I think I would weigh less if I never came here.” The ease of access is something she appreciates but moderation is a continuous learning experience. “There’s so much to do so it feels like the world is at your fingertips. Maria said, “That’s why everyone wants to come here. America is considered the land of opportunity for that reason.
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