November 15, 2014

The interview is done with Jahaira M. describing her life as an illegal immigrant.
She also shared her experiences as an illegal immigrant. She is 34 years old; Jahaira is
from a country called Nicaragua. I did this interview to present to the public that not all
illegal immigrants are criminals or come from a criminal setting. Everyone has various
reasons why they migrate to this country and the obstacles they over come and face as
illegal immigrants. I would like people to view them like what they are a mother,
daughter, neighbor or friend not the illegal immigrant that raises crime to this country.
The interview is about her life before the migration and present time. I Karla E. Chavez
did the interview
Karla: What was your childhood like?
Jahaira -Very beautiful, I lived with my family in a very comfortable setting with my
grandparents. My mother had to migrate to this country to give me a better future.
Karla: Before you migrated to the United States of America (US), did you have illegal
family members?
Jahaira-My mother was an immigrant. She migrated to Mexico first and secondly to the
US.
Karla-How many years ago was she an immigrant?
Jahaira -Thirty-four years ago.
Karla-Why did you migrate to this country?
Jahaira-To have a more comfortable life, my country is a very poor country and to give
my children a better life to help support my family back home.
Karla-How was your journey to America? Can you describe it in detail?
Jahaira-In my town there was a priest and he would help us obtain visas to Mexico as
tourist for the Catholic convent. I arrived to Mexico and found a coyote as they call them
and, I walked two days in the dessert while pregnant.
Karla-How is the journey through the dessert? Why?
Jahaira-Horrible, it is very dangerous you can get lost and you must follow the guide or
you will be lost and stranded in the dessert and die there. Like many, people that die
daily for the American dream.
Karla-How long exactly did you walk?
Jahaira- Two days and forty minutes

Karla-What happened after your walk did you arrive how did you arrive to your final
destination?
Jahaira-We caught a car to phoenix, Arizona, and the coyote left us stranded there was
a person that was in our group and she said she had a good connect to help us. The
gentleman that took over took us to his house and he sent us in on a flight to our final
destination.
Karla-Have you ever been a part of organized crime or any type of criminal activity?
Jahaira-No
Karla-How has your life in this country been how have you survived?
Jahaira-Working, I have worked six years and sometimes I work babysitting children.
Karla-Have you ever associated yourself with any crime or people that practice crime?
Jahaira -No
Karla-What is your opinion on the topic of how they refer to illegal immigrants?
Jahaira-I believe the majority of the illegal immigrants are hard working people. To
succeed and change their life style. To leave the poverty. That needs an immigration
reform.
Karla-Why do you believe this?
Jahaira-They work and pay their interest and they have changed many cities. The
immigrants come to work and help their families that are back home. Many families
have been separated, and left behind. These children putting a burden on the country
but if the parents were here they would take care of their children. The government is
trying to help the children that come alone to this country but separates the ones that
are here born as legal citizens and separates them from their family. The news shows
how scary it is to live back home this country is like a place of refuge. Many people
travel to get away from crime in their country.
Karla-What is your opinion on immigration and public benefits?
Jahaira-I do not what to say on that behalf because I receive public assistance myself.
Karla-Do you think it is all right the way the illegal immigrants are treated in this
country?

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Jahaira-The people abuse the illegal immigrants and allot of discrimination. By the
police their bosses, people in general.
Karla- In what ways?
Jahaira- The immigrants are discriminated in various places hospitals, schools, stores,
work, public places and many other places the list continues but these are some of the
few places. By our physical appearance as well.
Karla- She said she would like to make a statement
Jahaira- Five years ago, I was pregnant with my daughter. Every time I went to the
hospital or my clinic I was told everything was okay. Since I was an illegal immigrant
with no medical insurance, I was overlooked and discriminated. My daughter passed
away at twenty weeks gestation she passed away of unknown reasons and no one did
anything to prevent this. Every time I was at the clinic with discomfort and pain they
overlooked my pain and this could have been prevented. We have no voice no one
looks at what happens to us and does anything about it. Till this day I will never know
what happened. The same situation happened a second time with my daughter thanks
to God I was further along and she survived born at thirty two weeks gestation.
Karla- Do you think this country is committing injustice towards the illegal immigrants.
Jahaira-Yes all the time. By not allowing us to even get a working permit or a drivers
license there are some of us illegal immigrants break a one and only law coming to this
country illegally and I believe we should be given a chance.
Karla- Do you think they are discriminating children born from illegal immigrants?
Jahaira- Yes, they do it at medical facilities, schools, public places. When children are
not born in this country they are discriminated greatly and even when they are born here
but have Hispanic descent. The racism exists even in the children the children from
parents that are born in this country discriminate and bully the other kids by calling
those names, tell them things like those that they are going to cut their limbs. The
teachers over look these issues.
Karla- How do you think immigration will affect our future generations to come?
Jahaira- In my case all my children are born in this country. I not having a legal
document and fearing that I cannot do any type of activity because I do not even have
an identity to be involved with them makes a difference. Not being able to go out in
public in case of an emergency because I do not want to break the law is horrible. My

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children have no faulted of the choice I have made the hatred instilled already to these
young kids it just never stops. The discrimination at schools, public places, the name
calling, the crimes done out of hatred, the robberies done to the Hispanic community
and kept silent. Until this country comes up with a support for the illegal immigrants this
will always hinder us. I believe this country will never change their racial ways towards
us the Caucasian do not want anyone other than them to be in this country.

After having a long conversation with Jahaira I have no doubt in my mind that illegal
immigrants are not crime producer they are humble people just trying to make a living.
They face day to day challenges times ten to strive for their family and to make a living.
They want to succeed no matter what maybe a day not far from today there will be a
change in this country for us. A legal amnesty will be set up to help the illegal
immigrants that do the right thing for this country.

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