Immigration-Migration Assignment

Immigration – Migration Assignment

            Hello! My name is Rafael, and I was from a Mexican village close to the United States Border. It was a small rural village, however it was a strategic point because it was located so close to the United States. There, drug lords imported and exported heroin to and fro the United States. Patrols guarded our village carefully. Therefore, there were many gunshots and gunfights happening in our village. We lived in constant fear of being killed. I have even seen a man being shot cleanly on the back, while his wife wept hysterically. Our parents decided to take a huge risk migrating to United States, leaving us in the care of our uncle and aunt. They thought that beyond the United States border is a peaceful life, a life where we don’t have to glance around for men with guns or strain our ears for gunshots.

            They decided to San Diego, a very urbanized city they picked because of its large Spanish population, and also because it provided a lot of jobs that my parents can do to support our family. Because there are many fellow Mexicans and many of whom also speak Spanish, my parents felt at home because they knew little English. After two years, we were brought to San Diego. There are many people who know both Spanish and English here, so we can be guided to speak English by people who can help us quite well. Also, the culture is quite similar. There are many Mexican holidays being observed as well. For example, many Mexicans in San Diego celebrate Day of the Dead, and that makes us happy because we are in a community that is both similar to and different from us.