Amanda P.

En este mundo todos somos migrantes

Amanda Pacheco

April 20, 2022

    I am a product of immigration. My parents are immigrants and I have grown up to know what that word means in different ways. My mother, unlike my father was fortunate enough to get her residency and citizenship as soon as she applied for it. My father on the other hand, has not gone back to Mexico in over 27 years. He is still part of the immigration system, who fails time and time again to recognize his hard work because he came into this country the "wrong way".

    Immigration has and will still be a topic of discussion in this country. Especially when the conversation is centered around the south of the border. In the late 2018 and early 2019 Central American's were in route to the south border line seeking asylum. During this time the Trump administration had deployed troops to the border and issued a proclamation that access to asylum would only be available to those who entered through an authorized port of entry. In addition, after ongoing negotiations with Mexico, the Trump administration announced that asylum seekers would await their court date inside of Mexico rather than the United States.

    A little background information to those who are unaware of the incident and how severe it was. Central America is made up of different countries, those being: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize. However, there are three specific countries during this movement that make a journey from where they start, through Mexico and finally to the border and attempt to enter the United States.

Collage by: Lucila Sandoval

    This journey is more difficult for someone from Central America as it would be compared to someone from Mexico. Central American's go through discrimination through out each country they cross. Each country's government is advised to capture migrants and send them back to there country of origin.

    This moment in time was crucial for all immigrants there was a President in office that talked badly about the Latin community. He expressed his feelings towards them and there were people from different parts of Central American on there way to the United States in search for something better, something they dreamed of finding in the States.

    Immigration, in my community is something that will always be seen as courageous. It is not the same as it was 25 year ago where you pay someone a small amount of money and they cross you over. Or it was as simple as using someone's birth certificate. It has now created a place of mistrust and a financial burden. Those who can afford it risk the journey and those who cannot do not bother at all. Or make it as far as the border and either stay there or go back home. It is a difficult journey but that fills so many with hope and dreams for something that would be unimaginable if they stay home.

Elizabeth, El Salvador

    This issue has been imprinted in my heart since 2011. The first time I knew what it meant to have a parent be an immigrant and how scary and real the situation can become. My father, was traveling from work and at the time he would make weekly trips from Long Beach, Ca to San Diego, Ca. On one of those weekly trips there was an immigration check point in San Clemente. Something my dad never witnessed except for that day. We were waiting for him at Olive Garden for a Mother's Day dinner he was going to meet us there since he was running late. Time had passed by and my mother finally gets a call and its from my dad. I see the way her facial expression changes through out the conversation. Before I know it we are back in the car on our way back home. I did not see my dad for an entire week. He was detained for that long and was only able to talk to his immigration lawyer. That was the only way of communication we had. 

Photograph by Kim Kyung-Hoon at the Tijuana-Mexico Border

    I will never forget the week that impacted my views and understanding on immigration. The intense sacrifice that parents make for their children to make a journey so dangerous. An even more risky journey is while you are in the States already. You have what you wanted, a job and a home and a family. But all of that can be taken away before you know it because of your immigration status.