My Mother's Story

Mom’s Story

It was Friday April 4^th 1984. We started work as usual, but this morning on that melon field, I didn’t know that my life could have changed forever.

                Me siento incomoda, like if something wrong is going to happen. As that white van comes closer my cousin says to me, "desimuladamente levanta la cabeza y fíjate que ya llego la migra." At that momento all I can think about is my children at home…

 As the man in the green suit approaches our group of workers; right away he asks, “Saquen los papeles.” I pay no attention and keep my head down and do my work, brainstorming of what to do? How didn’t I think about the plan if this was ever going to happen? Se me acerca el inmigrante and asks again, “Señora y sus papeles? Lo miro y le respondo sin pensar, “Si los tengo en la lonchera, déjeme sacarlos.” As I walk towards the truck were my lunch box sits. I’m stuck with the gilt that I had just lied to a immigrant. As he approaches me this time he asks again, “Encontró los papeles, Senora,” All I can answer is no Senor no tengo.” Me dice, “Súbase a la camioneta por favor.”

                As I sit with eight other co-workers I suddenly feel the emotion of sadness, hatred, worried absorbs me within. I listen quietly to my co-workers as they exchange advice and remind of us all about that law everyone is talking about. I suddenly remember listening to the local radio station announcer say “If caught by immigration DO NOT sign the voluntary deportation slip.” This plan gives me a shot of being with my girls and my husband, and not go back home to nothing.

                Waiting in those cold offices the immigrant assigned to me approaches and demands a signature. I stand my ground and say, “No I will not sign anything, I want my court.” He looks at me and tells me, “You know that they can send you as far as San Francisco to see an Immigration Judge?” I respond “I don’t care; I will go where ever they send me.” He hesitates in giving me the paper work and with that they send me free.

                I walk out of that office analyzing what just happen with all these mixed emotions, I cry, I head home to my family. Freedom never smelled as sweet as it did that day…..

Mom finally becoming an American Chicken!! 2012 Baby!! Go MAMI!!