.NARRATIVE OLD DRAFT.
An Immigration Immersion Experience Narrative
Written By: Ana Apfelbacher
Last Updated: November 18, 2020
A siren-like sound comes from the water as you hear the waves growing louder and hungrier. At this moment you see an inflated corpse of a dead man float down the river. You see a boat full of people trying to place this man on the boat and bring him to one side of the border—the side in which most individuals, such as this man, aren't typically welcomed—the United States.
Immigration, something most fear to talk about, has become more prevalent year after year. In 2015, Trump made a statement: "[Mexican illegal immigrants] are bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people"(Nowrasteh, A., March 4, 2019). The stereotype that immigrants come to a country simply to increase violence and just evil to be evil, in general, is not entirely true. As a matter of fact, "Each year, millions of people from countries around the world immigrate to the United States, ranging from tourists visiting for a couple of weeks to workers coming for a job to refugees escaping persecution. The number of people coming to the US, where they come from, and why they come has changed significantly over time" (USA Facts). With that being said, most immigrants have genuine reasons other than just to commit evil acts in a country. Now, of course there will always be individuals who migrate and murder, or commit similar acts—that is never okay, but this isn't most immigrants this is only a very small percentile. When Trump made his statement many agreed with him and began to think the same about immigrants when, in reality, a lot of individuals already legally living in a country are the ones to blame for a high percentage in violence. A lot of citizens actually agree with this. As a matter of fact, "a Quinnipiac poll in 2018 revealed that only 17 percent of voters thought that illegal immigrants committed more crimes than native-born Americans and 72 percent of voters thought that illegal immigrants committed less crime" (Nowrasteh, A., March 4, 2019). Immigration, as a whole, has been proven to be beneficial to a country, such as the United States, in many ways. Many overlook these benefits and how immigrants contribute to our society on a day-to-day basis. For example, let's take a look at some of the ways immigrants contribute to making a country better. A research study written by five individuals, stated, "Immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy in many ways. They work at high rates and make up more than a third of the workforce in some industries. Their geographic mobility helps local economies respond to worker shortages, smoothing out bumps that could otherwise weaken the economy. Immigrant workers help support the aging native-born population, increasing the number of workers as compared to retirees and bolstering the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. And children born to immigrant families are upwardly mobile, promising future benefits not only to their families, but to the U.S. economy overall" (Sherman, A., August 15, 2019). These are only some of the ways that immigrants benefit a country but, overall, they benefit our communities locally and on a broader scale yet, they don't receive as much credit for their wonderful contributions. Sadly, not only do they not receive enough credit but a lot of their stories go unheard. So, here is my mother and I's immigration story.
~
A Mother's Perspective
Unlike many, I didn't have to face the hungry waves and I didn't have to risk my life crossing borders and having to stare at death right in the face. My story was different. This was my story.
October 12, 1998
"¡Felicidades!" said the woman sitting at the front desk. I smiled and walked out the door. After months of attempting to get my Visa I finally did it. I stared at my passport noticing that the Visa didn't look at all what I thought it would look like. There was a thick strip at the top. Half was blue and the other half was red. The blue half had the word "Visa" written in white bold all-capitalized letters. The red half had "United States of America" written in engraved pop-up style and was tinted red. I ran my thumb across the red half to trace the letters. I skimmed over the information about myself and the serious picture they had taken of me. As I walked through the door, I immediately held the finalized paper that said they had approved my Visa up to my parents. They all went up to embrace me in warm hugs. It was the most wonderful feeling to have been wanting something for so long and having gotten it on the first attempt after working so hard to get to that interview.
It hurt me to see the pain behind their eyes. They were beaming but, knowing I would be in another country in just a year and be gone for four years felt like they were losing their daughter. I understood. But, I had to do this for myself. I was 26 years old. I needed to be independent, and strive to achieve my own dreams.
For most immigrants, they don't get very lucky. The chances of someone getting that interview call and actually getting a Visa are extremely slim. I got really lucky. I thank God everyday for giving me the wonderful opportunity.
In just a year I would be on my way to the United States in search of a better paying job to pay off my college tuition, and begin a life of my own.
January 21, 1999
"This is your apartment. Let me know if you need anything my number is on this card," they said handing the card to me. "Thank you," I said smiling. As they were walking out the door they turned back to look at me, "And, please, be careful and stay safe out there." With that, I was left with a one bedroom, one bathroom, open living room and kitchen apartment. My little safe place.
I dragged my suitcase over to my room and began to organize. I hung up the only clothing items I had brought with me in the closet. I put bedsheets, and a cover on the bed. I added pillowcases to the pillows too. I set up my necessities in the bathroom before making my way over to the kitchen. I was hungry. I opened the fridge door only to realize that it was completely empty. I sighed, "I should definitely go grocery shopping. Ramen sounds really good right about now."
I had already called-in to a few places offering job positions. Jobs that no one wanted because they were long and tiring but, they were much needed for me to earn any money I could. After all, that's why I was here. I went to sleep early that night. Tomorrow would be a long day.
January 22, 1999
"Hello, I'm here to apply for the secretary job." I had practiced saying this phrase over and over last night and despite my broke English I think I managed to say it well enough to be understood. The lady led me to a room where the manager was and thankfully, later on, I found out that they also, spoke Spanish. It made things much easier for me. I got lucky because in the other jobs I had applied to I also had Spanish managers. I was still having to learn English as I went though. I knew it was important to know English—at least the basics.
The first interview had gone extremely well. I shook the manager's hand before making my way out. While on the bus on my way to the next job interview I began practicing some phrases again to be sure I was saying them well-enough. The bus came to a halt and as I got off I looked up to see a tall all-glass covered building. I looked back down, "Diosito, por favor ayudame con esta intrevista. God, please help me with this interview." I checked my watch only to realize that my interview was in 10 minutes. I quickly rushed to the building entrance in hopes that I would make it to my interview in time.
Later on that night, I got home and hung my purse on my bedroom doorknob. I took my shoes off and placed them in the closet, brushed my teeth, and headed to bed. I was exhausted.
3 Years Later - February 20, 2002
I could barely walk. Every step I took felt like my stomach would just pop like a balloon. I was working long hours for my day and night shifts for both of my jobs. I'm sure you're probably confused right now. Let me explain. I ended up getting the two job positions I had applied for 3 years ago. Now, I was a manager for both of those jobs therefore, I was working longer hours, but, also getting paid more. Being pregnant didn't make things easier.
Marrying, and getting pregnant wasn't the original plan but, there we were. I was stuck in a domestic violence situation. The man I was with was not the man I had vowed to marry. With a baby due in just a few days things just felt like a mess. I was financially unstable. He wouldn't help me pay off bills, buy food, much less let me do anything.
I was awaiting the day when I could give birth and be able to spend time with my baby. I needed a break. But, I was also afraid. I had so much weight on my shoulders. I had no money, and had nothing to eat. The fridge was always empty. He made me wear clothing that covered my entire body. I felt empty inside.
1 Year Later - February 28, 2003
"Happy birthday my love," I said kissing her head and smiling. She looked up at me with an adorable grin on her face and giggled. She was turning one-years-old today. I couldn't be more happy. If only I could spend more time with her. I missed seeing her everyday.
I had gotten out of the domestic violence situation I was in to give her a much better life about 6 months ago. I knew raising her as a single mother would be difficult but, it would be worth it. Plus, I wasn't entirely alone. I had my baby, and I had some friends and family who were always there to help and support me. My parents had flown-in to Indiana to help me with her meanwhile I worked.
My Visa had expired already and I had scheduled an appointment to meet with a recommended professional who could help me start my citizenship process. Hopefully, I could get that in the next few years. I prayed that things went as smoothly as they had when I got my Visa to come to the United States.
~
6 Years Later - August 8, 2009
A Daughter's Perspective
I walked through the hallway silently. My backpack was hanging off one shoulder. Everyone stared at me. I was an unfamiliar face amongst them. It was weird hearing everyone talk English. I didn't understand anything they were saying. My mom had only ever spoken Spanish to me, and in Montessori School I had only picked up a few of the English basic phrases and words. I still couldn't spell my own last name.
I sat down at the only open seat desk in the classroom. The teacher looked at me and smiled. She said something but, I didn't know what she said so I just smiled. They all looked at me weird for the following few weeks. I sat alone in the cafeteria, played alone on the playground, and worked alone in the classroom. I felt like an imposter amongst them.
11 years later - November 5, 2020 (Present day)
It amazes me how fast time goes by. I'm 18 years old now; a freshman in college. I'm studying Elementary Education and Spanish. I'm also getting a license addition in ESL. I want to be a teacher. Over the past 18 years of my life I have learned a lot about myself, my life, and my background. One of the things I have learned is to always strive to achieve my dreams. My mom taught me that. She has one year left until she accomplishes her dream of getting her Bachelor's degree in Accounting. I have never been more proud to have such a strong, and ambitious mother and woman in my life. She's the one who has made me into the person I am today. Her and I have been through a lot in life but, nothing in our past has stopped us from continuing to live our life the way we want it to be lived out. Has it been easy? No. But, has it been worth it? Absolutely.
I want whoever reads this to know that immigrants aren't terrible people. We all have a story as do they. Although, some of them bring evil most of them bring good intentions. You've heard my mother and I's story. Are you willing to hear other immigrant's stories? Are you willing to be more open-minded to other perspectives and be more inclusive to individuals that come from different backgrounds? Are you willing to allow our country to diversify? Those are questions that we should all reflect on.
References
N.A., (May 23, 2018). "Why do people immigrate to the US?" USAFacts, USAFacts,
https://usafacts.org/articles/why-do-people-immigrate-us/. Accessed: November 5, 2020.
Nowrasteh, A., (March 4, 2019). "Illegal immigrants and crime-assessing the evidence" Cato at
Liberty, Cato at Liberty, https://www.cato.org/blog/illegal-immigrants-crime-assessing-evidence. Accessed: November 17, 2020.
Sherman, A., Trisi, D., Stone, C., Gonzalez, S., and Parrott, S., (August 15, 2019). "Immigrants
contribute greatly to U.S. economy, despite administration's 'public charge' rule rationale" Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/immigrants-contribute-greatly-to-us-economy-despite-administrations. Accessed: November 17, 2020.