Immigrant #23

When you came to America what did you hope for?
Well I looked for a better life for me.

How did you feel when you touched American soil?
I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I had finally made it.
Interviewed by Stephanie

Have you ever wanted to go back?
No because my children's education is better here than over there.

Would you ever cross the border again?
Not in a million years because it was awful experience.  

Did you ever dream about coming here in America since you were little?
Actually no I did not. I was happy as a child in Mexico.  

Crossing the border: was it an awful experience and why?
It was one of my worst days ever. I was only 17 years old when I came here and I was the few girls in our group.I was scared if someone could of rape me.Going though the border was very hard. I knew no one and we had to go though tunnels up over mountains its just very terrible.

Immigrant #22

Interview by Rosario

Q: Why did you choose to come to America?
A: To give my kids a better opportunity. I wanted a better life for them.

Q: How long have you lived in America?
A: 10 years

Q: What did you feel when you saw the actual border?
A: I felt sad, worried and scared.

Q: Do you think you have a better life now?
A: Yes, a little better. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but yes, yes, it's better.

Q: Is there anything you would like to have changed about coming here?
A: Well, I wish I had been more educated. I would have had an education ahead of time.

REFLECTION:
This immigrant is a close family friend. He has been here for quite some time and he is an honest man. When I heard his experience it really made me think that immigration is not just "something going on in the world." It's something big that affects every community.

immigrant #21

by Abel

The person I interviewed is thirty years old. He came here illegally and he's eventually been able to get his papers. He's a hard worker and people he met here wanted him to become legal. Now he has a good future. He says he wants his kids to study so that they don't turn out like him. But I think if they turn out like him, they'll be okay. He's a good man.

Q: Why did you come to America?
A: I came here to get a better job.

Q: Do you miss your country?
A: I don't miss my country. My favorite part is my culture, my home, my people. I have all that here as long as my family lives here. If I go back and visit, it's a bunch of bad memories.

Q: Was it hard to learn a new language?
A: Yes, it was hard. I took English classes and it took two years to speak it enough that people get me.

Q: Do you read it well?
A: Not so much. I can't read many words in English.

Q: Do you think it was right to come here?
A: It was the best choice I had. I never went to college. I had no future in Mexico.

immigrant #20

Anonymous Student:

The person I interviewed is Manuel, my dad. He came to America at the age of thirteen with his older sister. He got here by walking and then by a car. The first little town he got to was Columbus, a small town in New Mexico. Next, he lived in Deming which is about forty five minutes from Columbus. Eventually he moved to Phoenix and later had and his girlfriend had twins. After they felt completely settled here, they got married.

Q: Was it hard to come to the U.S.?
A: Yes, because you have to come through the desert and it's dangerous and hot.

Q: How has living in the U.S. changed your life?
A: A lot, because there are more opportunities here. It's a place where I can live my dreams.

Q: Did you come in a group or by yourself?
A: I came with my older sister and a coyote (a smuggler)

Q: How long did it take to cross the border?
A: About two hours, mas o menos. It wasn't too bad, though.

Q: How long have you lived here?
A: I've been here for 26 years. I am now a citizen, because I got amnesty. I think they should consider amnesty again.

immigrant #19

by Alberto

The man I interviewed was my father's best friend. He works with my dad but still watches out for the police. Most people would think he's an American by how he talks, but he's undocumented. He's really strict about stuff because he wants to be here and because he is looking for the American Dream. Eventually, he wants to have a real career. He wants to be a mechanic, because then he can get his family a better life.

I interviewed him because he wanted to be interviewed for a few reasons. He wanted people to hear an immigrant's voice. Also, he wanted to take all of that out and share his story with people who would listen. At one part, he started to cry in the conversation. I guess you can't really capture that on a blog, though. He's cool and so I think he's the best interview I have done so far.

Q: Did you enjoy going over the border?
A: No, I hated it. I've seen people die. It's not a fun place.

Q: Why did you come here?
A: I wanted to have the American Dream.

Q: Were you scared?
A: I'd love to say I wasn't. I'd love to lie to you and say that I had courage. The truth is that I cried every night. I wanted to make it, but I knew that I might lose everything. I didn't want to go back home and have to say that I wasn't able to live my dream. People might have told me that I was crazy.

Q: Did you get caught by INS (now ICE)?
A: Yes, I got caught twice. Eventually I made it. I'm glad. I'm not a rich man, but I can now provide for my family.

Q: Did you see anyone die?
A: Yes. My friend fell and hit his head on the rock and died. I think his sacrifice is part of what made me keep going. But I miss him. I also feel a little guilty, like why didn't I die instead?

immigrant #18

The person I interviewed was my mom. I interviewed her, because I wanted to get in her shoes. I wanted to see what it was like for her. I never knew that she was an immigrant until I asked her about this. I guess you don't realize it if your parents are speaking English. You just assume. She got really quiet in the interview. I'm not sure if she had memories she didn't want to talk about or if maybe she just couldn't remember everything.

Q: Why did you come to the United States?
A: To look for better opportunities. I wanted things to get better for my family.

Q: When did you arrive here?
A: It was in 1999.

Q: At what age did you decide you wanted to move here?
A: I was about 25 years old. I was bored and tired of being poor.

Q: Did the immigration ever catch you?
A: Yes, twice.

Q: How did you feel?
I felt anxious and scared to cross.

immigrant #17

The person who I interviewed was my aunt's friend. I decided to interview her because I didn't know anyone else to interview. She came here by walking through the desert, which I imagine was hot and horrible. She said the hardest time was staying in the really hot trailor and wondering if they were going to be caught. When she woke up, she was full of sweat and her clothes were all wet. Then they drove her over to Phoenix and she's been here since. So, that's her basic story.

Q: How did you get here at Phoenix?
A: I got here by walking through the dessert.

Q: Did you walk for a long time or how many hours did it take?
A: It took me about two days. First, we walked about six hours. then we slept in a trailer for the night. Then in the morning, they drove us here.

Q: Has immigration ever caught you?
A: They got us once.

Q: How many times have you come over here by walking?
A: Like about three times.

Q: How many people were there with you?
A: About ten people, I guess.