Gina M, (Raw-G artistic name), 32, Oakland, CA, Born Guadalajara, Mexico I learned English from listening to hip-hop when I first came to live with my sister in California in 1999. I’d always been passionate about this kind of music. I started writing poetry in Mexico when I was 12, and by 15, I was turning … Continue reading
DD, 28, New York City, Born in Belize With the help of my aunt who is my adopted mom, I have made a life for myself and my two-year-old daughter in Manhattan. Arriving in the States in 2003 on a tourist visa, I never returned to Belize, even though I have siblings there whom I … Continue reading
Anthony N, 26, Los Angeles, CA, Born in Philippines Brought to the states when I was 11, I never asked about my immigration status. My family didn’t discuss it. In fact, this topic is rarely discussed in the Filipino community. The Tagalog term for those in the country illegally is a pejorative that means “always … Continue reading
Edilsa L, 23, Austin, Texas, Born in Guatemala It’s a very hard story to tell, even now after 10 years. I was 13, caring for my siblings in Guatemala, when I was kidnapped and separated from them. I was supposed to be responsible for my siblings but I wasn’t even able to take care of … Continue reading
Jossie C, 21, Los Angeles, Born in Guatemala What I remember most about the 2500-mile journey my grandma and I made from Guatemala to the Mexican border was being afraid – afraid of the authorities, scared of the “coyotes” who were paid to get us into the States and terrified of being separated. I was … Continue reading