Looking Through the Eyes Of Immigrants
Many young immigrants are being incarcerated for not being a citizen of the United States. Some of theses young immigrants are successful and have college degrees.
Reyna Grande
Reyna Grande is an award winning author who wrote a memoir about her story of illegal immigration and how she benefits from the economy. Reyna describes her childhood memories while living in Mexico and how difficult it was to travel in the United States as an illegal immigrant. Her experience living in poverty and discrimination were difficult as well. When Reyna was living in Mexico, she had stayed with her two siblings while her parents had gone to the United States, or as they called it, “El Otro Lado”. Her parents went to the United States to search for jobs. Mexicans at the time were struggling to seek for jobs and provide for their families. Reyna’s father eventually brings Reyna and her siblings to the United States, but illegally. He brought them to the country so they would get an education. His only concern was if anyone found out about them travelling as illegal immigrants, he would be in trouble. She was the first in her family to graduate from college by earning a degree and making her family proud of what she has accomplished in her life. It was the hardship she experienced as a child that motivated her to become educated and later shine a light on childhood immigrants.
Jose Antonio Vargas
Like most immigrants, Jose Antonio Vargas was brought to the United States by his parents when he was only 12 in search of a better life. He has been faced with many different challenges that he has overcome throughout his time living in the United States. He struggled learning English even though he learned some English while he lived in the Philippines. When he was applying for jobs he used a false social security number and hoped that the employer would not find out. He carried this burden on him from getting caught but he knew that he needed to live and survive on his own. He has not seen his parents for more than 18 years and he has never met his 14 year old brother. He found a support network that is encouraging him to pursue his dreams. Vargas is a former reporter for the Washington Post and he also founded Define American, which is an organization that transcends politics through a new conversation.
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