Being An Immigrant in America

There are many immigrants coming into the United States from all over the world. Many of us  know this but what we may not know is what their experience is during their journey getting from one country to another. There are millions of stories out there about what it is like for many immigrants, but many don’t get to tell us their stories. 

Carol Martinez is a 22-year old girl who came to the United States at the age of seven. She was born in Mexico and she and  her younger sister had been living with their grandma in Mexico for a few years  while their mother had been in the United States.  In the year of 2003, Carol, her younger sister, and her grandmother boarded an early morning flight to Tijuana where they would spend a night with a family who would help them cross the border. Carol remembers being woken up very early in the morning leaving her sister and grandmother behind. After giving the border patrol their USA birth certificate, Carol made it to the other side in a matter of minutes. Carol spent about a week without her sister and grandmother in a strange home where she listened to rumors shared by the younger girls in the home. This made Carol’s experience feel like a nightmare and made it harder for her to fall asleep at night. Once she was reunited with her younger sister, shortly thereafter, she felt sense of relief and could rest better at night.

Christmas approached and she was still away from her grandma and mother. After about a week and a half, Carol and her sister were brought to a different home. This home made both Carol and her sister feel safe  due to the young lady who would take care of them until their grandmother made it across the border.  Thirteen days after they  left Mexico their grandma made it across the border and the three of them packed their bags and headed from California to Oregon. Without knowing how this transition from one Country to the next would pay off, they continued their journey until some complications came along. During the whole 14 hours of the ride to Oregon, Carol suffered from high fevers and dehydration. They would have to make constant stops to get ice to treat her fever. To Carol, it seemed like they would never make it to their mom because of her sickness on their way to Oregon.

 After being away from their mom for three years, they were reunited once again. She remembers her mom coming out running out of her apartment complex with her arms wide open to  welcome them to a new country where they would all start their new lives. 

The experience for Carol was not an easy one, especially at her young age. Without knowing what the consequences would be Carol and her family were brave and determined to go in search for a new life and willing to give up their old lives in order to bring themselves new and better opportunities.  Carol and her family have now settled into a home.  She says the entire family is hopeful about their future in Oregon.