Maria, 25, Detroit, Michigan, Born in Mexico My mother, younger brother and I came to the U.S. 16 years ago on a tourist visa when I was nine years old.  We came to reunite with my dad who had been living in Detroit for almost four years by himself.  Once we were all together in … Continue reading →

Emerson M., 27, Menlo Park, CA, Born in Lima, Peru As an entrepreneur from Peru, I came to San Francisco when I was 17 to attend college, intent on studying computer engineering. My mom, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was already in the States. I worked at two jobs to pay for school, but this economic … Continue reading →

Belen S, 21, Gilbert, Arizona, Born in Argentina The full meaning of being undocumented didn’t register with Belen until she was 16 — when her friends started getting their drivers’ licenses, finding part-time jobs and planning for college. Belen had come to the States with her family when she was six. After overstaying their visa, … Continue reading →

After my father entered the U.S. with the help of coyotes, he saved enough money to send someone for my mom, my two-year old sister and me, eight at the time.  We were excited about seeing our father as we got on the plane from Jalisco to Tijuana. From there we were to cross the … Continue reading →

Carlos P, 22, Washington, DC, Born in Guadalajara, Mexico Brought to the U.S. from Mexico with my two siblings when I was only two, the U.S. is the only country I know. My mom brought her family here so she could provide us with some economic stability and more opportunity. It was not so much … Continue reading →

Hereth A, 21, Washington D.C., Born in Bolivia I came to the nation’s capitol in 2001 with my grandparents and my little sister just before the attacks on the Pentagon and the Twin Towers on 9/11. We had left the cultural violence of Bolivia only to bear witness to this tragedy. I was only eight … Continue reading →

Sagar P, 23, Louisville, Kentucky, Born in India I watched my father get rejected three times in his effort to continue his U.S. residency through a work permit. His 10-year multiple visa was revoked and he was sent back to India in 2006. My mother joined him six years later. This leaves my two brothers … Continue reading →

Laura L, 27, Provo, Utah, Born in Mexico City I have lived with so much fear and anxiety since arriving in the States 15 years ago that my condition has now been diagnosed as PTSD. To enter the country, my mother, my two sisters and I walked for a long, hot day with coyote guides … Continue reading →

Valerie R, 18, Racine, Wisconsin, Born in Mexico City I was only three when I was separated from my father for a week in Mexico while both of us were trying to reunite with my mom already living and working in Wisconsin. I had no idea of how hazardous our journey was. My dad and … Continue reading →