As the day draws to a close, Angel Reyes Rivas is partaking in the ordinary parental drill of switching between coaxing his young kids to calm down and administering warnings. These moments are common however, Reyes Rivas and his spouse often engage in a chilling talk when they have a bit of private time: what should they do if one happens to get removed from the country. This topic emerged after the recent reelection of our former leader, who won majorly due to his staunch stance on mass deportation.
Angel Reyes Rivas originates from Peru, and his partner from Colombia. Both don’t possess permanent lawful citizenship in the United States, but their offsprings do. This echoes the story of numerous families across the nation, forming a tapestry of echoing thoughts and fears. Migration was a significant topic during the election race. Expectedly, this issue was often painted as a battle between Citizens and Immigrants, while ignoring the complexity of mixed-status families.
For roughly 11 million American citizens who are part of households with mixed immigration standing, the thought of mass deportations provokes intense unease. The popular narrative often zeros in on the host of undocumented migrants in the country, yet a broad deportation strategy could enforce greater consequences than recognized. Not only the lives of the immigrants are threatened, but the rights and stability of numerous American citizens as well.
Angel Reyes Rivas’ personal experience with deportation is one he’ll never forget. He was a youthful 19-year-old when his mother was deported, and he suddenly found himself the sole responsible figure for his 13-year-old brother. No one had prepared him for such brutality. It was devastating – emotionally and financially.
Nowadays, Reyes Rivas manages a cell phone repair trade and advocates for immigrants. He is under the protection of DACA, a temporary safeguard against deportation for some individuals brought into the U.S. as undocumented children. This provisional system, borne out of the previous presidency, is being tested in court as we speak.
The future of DACA is uncertain due to pending legal challenges, leading recipients like Reyes Rivas to worry about the risk of becoming undocumented once again. As a father, the thought of explaining the precarious nature of their situation to his children weighs heavily on his heart. Despite the pervading uncertainty, families with mixed immigration statuses continue to have these conversations, they’ve been a staple for generations.
Elsewhere, at a community restaurant in the Bronx, a similar tale unfolds. Carolina Saavedra recollects a memory from her childhood, when she was eight years old. Her parents, undocumented immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico, gave her and her siblings a piece of jewelry. They explained its significance – a guide on what to do if their parents were ever deported.
Saavedra carries the pride of being born on American soil, yet her heart wrestles with the reality of her parents’ undetermined status. The Saavedra family has proven to be an essential part of their Bronx neighborhood, running a beloved local restaurant. Over the past decade and a half, their establishment has grown into much more than a place to grab a meal; it serves as a support system for locals and recent migrants alike.
This struggle isn’t new, however. For over thirty years, the Saavedra family has been living without officially documented status. Pervasive disappointment clouds their perception of both dominant political parties, neither of whom have provided a clear pathway to permanent citizenship. Their sense of assurance and hope for the future ironically doesn’t stem from any political leader or initiative, but from the organic strength and solidarity displayed by their community.
During a slow moment at lunch rush, Natalia Mendez, Carolina’s mother, recounts an anecdote of her early days in America. She recalls a time of heightened anxiety when she faced a raid at her workplace, narrating how she was aided in a thrilling escape through a laundry chute by a co-worker. Yes, these dangerous brushes with deportation were a reality even in the 90s, under a previous leadership.
In Mendez’s words, ‘You see, there is nothing new under this sun.’ Her wisdom is clear; the question of immigration isn’t a new challenge, rather an enduring struggle that spans across various presidencies. The immigrant story symbolizes a constant human aspiration for better lives, enhanced opportunities, and the American Dream.