Immigrant Voices

Señor B de Oaxaca reflexiona al perder el contacto con un querido amigo que arriesgó mucho para cruzar la frontera para ayudar a su familia.

"Mr. B" of Oaxaca reflects upon losing contact with a dear friend who risked much to cross the border to help his family.

Vertas huyó de la violencia en Oaxaca, México para residir aquí, crear una familia, trabajar y ahora se esfuerza por aprender inglés. 

Pedro vino en desesperación para poder proveer a su familia, pero se ha esforzado mucho para estar legalmente y poder traer a su familia con él. 

Mary nos cuenta sobre el sueño que la trajo a Estados Unidos hace 8 años desde Colombia, que tan difícil ha sido su vida en Estados Unidos y lo importante que es para ella aprender inglés. 

Elena de El Salvador estaba emocionada de venir a los Estados Unidos, pero encontró difícil su situación para ella y su hijo. Sin saber nada de inglés, se siente aislada y preocupada.

Alejandro explica por qué vino aquí, las dificultades para encontrar un trabajo significante, su involucramiento en su comunidad y su amor por su familia.  

Yolanda is a DACA student at HSU; she worries about being able to finish her schooling. She also went to Washington DC to lobby with Scholars Without Borders. 

Vertas fled violence in Oaxaca, Mexico to become a resident here, raise a family, work, and is now striving to learn English. Translated by Max Guevara of the HSU Translation Club and voiced by Carlisle Douglas. 

Yohana, from the mountains of Peru outside Lima, was a responsible for her 6 brothers. This taught her housekeeping skills. She found her way to Lima and employment as a domestic with a wealthy family while continuing her education. Her time as a domestic dramatically influenced her.

In a special Immigrant Voices, 6th grade students from Instituto Cumbres de Tijuana located at the California border in Mexico, provide a podcast about the immigration phenomenon in the city of Tijuana. The students give context to the immigration situation there. A special thanks to Rodriguez Marín Sol del Carmen. 

Richard, a legal immigrant from the Philippines, expresses shock and dismay over the policies of the current administration towards asylum seekers at the border and treatment of undocumented immigrants already here. 

Ray describes the joy he gets through volunteering in his community, especially with helping other immigrants learn English. His pursuit of the American Dream is helping others. 

Pedro came here in desperation to provide for his family but has worked hard to become a legal resident and bring his family, too. Translated by Max Guevara of the HSU Translation Club and is voiced by Carlos Godinez. 

Mary talks about the dreams that brought her to the United States eight years ago from Columbia, how difficult life has been here and how important it is for her to learn English. Translated by Max Guevara of the HSU Translation Club and voiced by Andrea Santamaria. 

Marisol tells why she risked all to come here with her children to escape domestic violence in Michoacan, Mexico to find a better life. Translated testimony voiced by HSU student Lupita Rivera Cid.

Maria, from El Salvador, speaks of her struggles to learn English, reacquaint herself with her children after 8 years apart, and how they all achieved their goal of citizenship within 27 years. 

Marco, from Tijuana, has lived in the United States for years but now is a trans-border resident of Tijuana. Here, he discusses how the immigrant caravan from Central America has impacted his city and his livelihood. 

Julio, brought here when not quite 2 years old, grew up not knowing he was undocumented until he went to get his driver's license. His status did not stop him from being the first in his family to graduate High School, go to college or from being an artist, a musician and an activist for immigrant rights. 

Juan, a DACA student at Humboldt State University talks about his struggles with learning English. He not only did learn English, he now has an inspirational message for all listeners.