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Bombings. Violence. Government corruption. Poverty. People in other countries have to go through this on a daily basis.
A student attending West Haven high school said how in Guatemala if you stay outside past 8:00, you are in severe danger of gangs or other violent groups. This is one of the many push factors in many different countries.
Some immigrants have a treacherous journey. Karina Lopez, an Ecuadorian Immigrant said: “I went from Ecuador to the border of Arizona on foot, and then hired a smuggler to get me across the border. I was 18, going on 19, and 7 months pregnant.” A student also attending West Haven High School said that she misses her family, but she had to make that sacrifice for education and a chance at a better future.
Students at West Haven High
Many Immigrants don’t have medical insurance. One student said that he didn’t have any medical insurance. One severe injury or illness could devastate an entire family.
Immigrants come to America with everything they have: which is sometimes not much. Assimilating to such a new environment can be much more challenging than we realize. “The hardest part of immigrating was leaving family behind and learning the new culture,” said Karina Lopez. Many have to leave their families behind.
Learning the new language can be very challenging. Getting used to the new culture and language can take anywhere from 10 weeks to an entire year.
Immigrants also face threats inside the U.S. Many do not have health insurance, and 1 major injury or disease could destroy an entire family. Lopez said “A lot of native-born people take things for granted like bank accounts and driver's licenses.”
Undocumented Immigrants face political threats such as deportation. Undocumented for 14 years, Lopez said “Even though I am documented I still have to tell myself: calm down, it’s okay, you’re legal whenever I see a police officer.
To add to an Immigrant’s troubles, local people sometimes harass immigrants. “I was at the grocery store with my son and a woman randomly started screaming at me. I turned around; she was screaming “Go back to your country you … Mexican!” said Lopez.
The struggles of Immigrants seem endless, and many don’t realize all they go through. “It was very traumatizing being here,” said Karina Lopez. That statement is true for many immigrants.
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