Interview with Eduardo Balarezo
Introduction:
Immigrant stories often carry layers of resilience, sacrifice, and untold truths that shape not only their individual identity, but the communities they belong to. Immigration stories are essential threads in the fabric of the United States, which is known for being a nation of immigrants. Driven by a desire to better understand the complexities of immigration and its role in current issues in U.S. society, I enrolled in a course, the Sociology of Immigration. For a class project, I had the opportunity to interview my best friend’s father, Eduardo Balarezo, an immigrant from Ecuador. The interview took place at his home, a space I’ve visited often with his son, but which now felt different in his absence, charged with the weight of personal history. Conducted at 7:00 pm on November 27, 2024, this conversation gave me the chance to learn about the challenges and experiences of a man I had known on the surface level for many years. The interview revealed not only his personal journey, but also how immigrants like him contribute to the nation’s cultural diversity. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Eduardo’s journey to the United States reflects themes of economic migration, integration, cultural duality and others.
Migration: Leaving Guayaquil For Opportunity
Eduardo’s family’s decision to migrate to the United States was driven by both push and pull factors. Guayaquil, though an economic center, was not immune to the structural challenges that pushed his father to seek a better life abroad. Eduardo described the city as a “hustling, bustling port town,” yet the economic instability, limited upward mobility, and political corruption in Ecuador created significant barriers for opportunity. Push factors in Ecuador, such as pervasive corruption and restricted life quality heavily influenced his fathers decision to leave. These issues challenged the ability for someone to make something of themselves, prompting his father to migrate to the United States, initially settling in New York City for economic reasons. Pull factors, including the promise of economic stability and “freedom” were just as influential.
Eduardo’s migration journey began on October 30th, 1972, when he and his mother left Guayaquil to reunite with his father. Eduardo’s father had relocated to Baltimore after a friend of his told him it was “easier and not as crazy as New York.” This aspect of immigration relates to the idea of migrant social networks, where migrants are provided with information about potential destinations, including jobs and conditions, through their social networks. Eduardo’s father was able to secure a job and find housing for his family, prompting the family to reconnect. This illustrates the idea of chain migration where one family member migrates to a new location and over time facilitates the migration of the rest of the family.
The process of migration for Eduardo started when he and his mother flew into Miami and then took an overnight bus to Baltimore. Eduardo vividly remembers the trip as “the longest I’d ever taken,” and being struck by the new sights of the cities all in one night. As a six year old, Eduardo didn’t fully grasp the gravity of leaving behind extended family, but he recalls the bittersweet farewell, stating, “they were all sad.” Eduardo’s favorite memory regarding Ecuador was visiting his moms aunt’s house on the base of Mt. Chimborazo which is roughly 20,000 feet high and playing in the rushing river nearby. He noted that the family “would always eat outdoors, on a table with a mountain in the background, and that image always stuck with me.” Although he had to leave his extended family and memories behind, this experience highlights the idea that families often balance hope for a better future with the pain of separation. In addition, Eduardo’s extended family, having made their lives in Ecuador, decided to stay there, leaving Eduardo and his mother to make the journey to America, to reunite with his father in Baltimore, alone. 
Integration:
Eduardo’s fathers ability to secure a job and housing allowed the family time to focus on adapting to their new environment. In Baltimore, the family attended a Spanish-speaking church where they met other Hispanics and were able to find a community and a sense of belonging. Eduardo notes that the church “opened up a lot of other avenues” for his family. The church likely served as a network of support and allowed his family to develop a sense of pride in their heritage while embracing their new role in society, easing the process of assimilation. Along with this, Eduardo played little league baseball where he also found a sense of belonging. His team was called the “famous A’s” and Eduardo described playing baseball as an “all-American thing.” Baseball, which is often associated with American culture, provided Eduardo a way to feel more American.
Eduardo’s neighborhood and school also played a significant role in his integration. He attended an elementary school in West Baltimore, where initial language barriers created challenges. Entering the second grade without speaking English, Eduardo recalls moments of confusion, such as asking his dad after school, “what yes meant.” Eduardo also mentions that because he didn’t speak English his classmates initially viewed him differently, stating, “they thought there was something wrong with me.” His classmates eventually realized that he was just like them. This highlights aspects of reception where language barriers can position someone as an outsider. Despite the initial challenges, Eduardo’s ability to immerse himself into the school environment enabled him to learn the language quickly. Additionally, the absence of language accommodations in the 1970s meant Eduardo had to adapt in different ways, including through a school counselor who spoke Spanish and served as a mentor to him.
Education played a pivotal role in Eduardo’s trajectory toward upward mobility. After completing elementary school in Baltimore, he excelled academically, attending a prestigious magnet high school, The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and later enrolling at Georgetown University. Reflecting on his journey, Eduardo credits his parents hard work and sacrifices, noting, “I wanted to make something of myself.” His educational accomplishments align with the broader narrative of the second generation achieving “success” through access to quality education. However, Eduardo also acknowledges the financial barriers his family faced, which resonate with structural inequalities that persist for many immigrant families.
While Eduardo was still attending Georgetown, he experienced a life defining moment. After donating blood for his mother, he was traveling back to school on the train and was racially profiled by law enforcement. Eduardo was stopped and searched, and states, “They put me up against the wall… spread-eagled… and were going through my belongings.” This experience of humiliation and prejudice became a turning point, inspiring Eduardo to pursue a career in law. “I decided that’s ridiculous, you’re not going to do that again to me” he explains. His decision highlights how lived experiences often drive advocacy and professional choices. Eduardo’s reflection on his parents’ sacrifices reveal the intergenerational dynamic of ambition. Inspired by their hard work, Eduardo pursued a professional career, motivated by a desire to honor their efforts and create a better life for himself. However, he also grapples with concerns about whether his children, who have grown up in more privileged circumstances will share the same drive. The tension between providing opportunities and fostering ambition is a common theme among immigrant families, illustrating the complexities of intergenerational mobility. 
The Process and Lasting Traditions:
Eduardo Balarezo’s identity embodies the duality many immigrants experience, balancing integration into American society with a strong connection to his Ecuadorian roots. Even after many decades in the United States, Eduardo describes himself as “American in spirit, Ecuadorian in soul,” reflecting the lasting impact of his early years in Guayaquil and his family’s cultural traditions. One significant decision in Eduardo’s life was his choice to not maintain dual citizenship with Ecuador. Although he automatically gained U.S. citizenship through his parents’ naturalization when he was 17, Eduardo explains the practical challenges that influenced his decision: “If I had maintained Ecuadorian citizenship, I would have had to go into the army there… also I would have been liable for taxes in Ecuador.” This pragmatic choice emphasizes the complexities immigrants face in navigating multiple national identities, where cultural ties often compete with legal and financial considerations. Eduardo’s experience also highlights disparities in citizenship pathways, contrasting his relatively straightforward naturalization process with the normal barriers faced by undocumented immigrants today.
Despite this decision, Eduardo remains deeply connected to his Ecuadorian heritage, fostering membership within his family through traditions and cultural practices. Food plays a central role in preserving these connections, as Eduardo frequently cooks traditional Ecuadorian dishes such as seco and yuca, which have become family favorites. Eduardo mentions that his daughter, Sophie, will get the hanker for them, and the family will sit outside on the patio and enjoy them.
Beyond food, Eduardo ensures that his children remain aware of their heritage through storytelling and visits to Ecuador. During a trip in 2022, the family spent several weeks traveling the country and reconnecting with relatives. Eduardo describes the experience as “like I never left, 50 years later.” Eduardo’s dual identity aligns with segmented assimilation theory, which explores how immigrants balance cultural retention with integration into the dominant society. His narrative shows how cultural practices serve as a bridge across generations, enriching both the individual and the multicultural immigrant fabric of the United States.
Conclusion:
Going into the interview, I felt nervous. Eduardo’s journey, layered with personal history and significance seemed like an overwhelming responsibility to capture. However, those nerves quickly faded as Eduardo’s relaxed demeanor and enthusiasm for sharing his story put me at ease. His openness and thoughtful reflections made the conversation flow naturally. Eduardo, now a respected lawyer representing high-profile members of society, exemplifies the immigrant success story, combining professional accomplishment with a deep connection to his roots. His current role is a testament to the determination he cultivated as a child in Baltimore, inspired by the sacrifices of his parents and his own encounters with prejudice. This report captures only part of Eduardo’s story and highlights several important themes including, migration, integration, cultural duality, and inequalities, etc… His reflections illuminate how immigrants contribute to the U.S. while navigating complex challenges, such as language barriers, cultural retention, and intergenerational tensions. Eduardo’s story demonstrates the resilience required to overcome these obstacles, as well as the vital role of supportive communities.
The interview left me considering the balance between personal identity with social integration. Eduardo’s ability to preserve his Ecuadorian heritage while thriving as an American offers a compelling model for how immigrants can navigate cultural duality. As the interview concluded, we shook hands and Eduardo warmly asked me to talk with his family, a gesture that reflected his generosity. Reflecting on the conversation, I feel a profound appreciation for Eduardo’s journey and for the countless stories that mirror his experiences. This project not only deepened my understanding of immigration but also reminded me of the critical role personal narratives play in cultivating empathy and illuminating complex societal issues. Eduardo’s story is a tribute to individual resilience and a call to action to create a more just and inclusive society for immigrants and their families.
Additions & Formal Methodology:
I used voice memos on my phone as the primary source of collecting audio, and my computer as a secondary source for collecting audio. I had written my questions down on a piece of paper and decided not to show the questions to Eduardo beforehand because I felt it would be less authentic if I did. We recorded the interview in his basement, and had some funny encounters with his dog Toby, whose collar made some noise during the interview. Eduardo and I sat on two different couches, but engaged in a way that would suggest otherwise.
Chris: My name is Christopher Ardouny. I’m a sophomore at James Madison University. I’m conducting an interview for my class, the Sociology of Immigration. It is November 27th, 2024 at approximately 7 p. m. And I’m at the home of Mr. Balarezo, in Lorton, Virginia. Mr. Balarezo, could you please introduce yourself, including where you were born?
Eduardo: Sure. I’m Eduardo Balarezo and I was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Chris: Thank you. Could you just tell me a little bit about the city that you were raised in.
Eduardo: Well, in Guayaquil, there’s two major cities. One is in, excuse me, in Ecuador, there are two major cities, Guayaquil, which is on the coast and Quito, which is the capital, it’s up in the mountains. And Guayaquil is sort of a hustling, bustling port town. It still is. I was there about two years ago and it continues to be sort of the economic driver for the country with all the commerce that’s there. Like I said, it’s a busy port, so.
Chris: Gotcha. Was it a close community when you were growing up there?
Eduardo: Well, I came to the States when I was six, but my family was very close, yes, while we were there. And we still are, we’re still in constant contact, and my cousins, aunts, and uncles that are still down there, we are in close contact.
Chris: Okay, I guess just looking back, what are some of your favorite memories, in Ecuador?
Eduardo: Favorite memories; there’s one in particular that always sticks in my mind for some reason, and it was an aunt of my mom’s who had a house near the base of this mountain called Chimborazo which is like 20,000 feet up or high. And I don’t know what the elevation of her house was, but we would go there for like a week or two weeks at a time. And I remember there was a rushing river nearby where we would go and play nearby, not get in the river because it was too fast and cold. And then I remember that they would always eat outdoors on a table with a mountain in the background. And so that image always stuck with me.
Chris: Gotcha. I guess when you had decided to come to the States, what were some of the factors that went into that? Was it a family decision?
Eduardo: Well, my dad came first. He went to New York for economic reasons, just to better living and all that. And he came, was here for a year before my mom and I came over for a year or two. I don’t, I don’t recall exactly.
Chris: And then did you come over with any siblings?
Eduardo: No, it was me. I’m the only child.
Chris: Gotcha. And I guess you, you said your father was here first. How did you feel I guess, I don’t know if you were on your lonesome, but coming to the States. Were you with your mom when you came across?
Eduardo: Yeah, my mom and I came across October 30th, 1972 when I was six years old and it was an interesting trip because we flew in to Miami and then we took a bus to Baltimore where my dad was living at the time and it was like a overnight bus and it’s like the longest trip I’d ever taken and just new things, all the scenery and the lights and the cities and so it was really kind of interesting for me as a little kid to see all these things all of a sudden like in one night.
Chris: Yeah. Did you know exactly what was going on?
Eduardo: Well, I knew we were moving to the United States. I don’t know if I understood fully that we were leaving our family behind, I mean my dad was here but the rest of my family like said I was very close to cousins and whatnot and I don’t know if that really entered my thought, I was just excited that we were coming to a new place to see my father. And you know, eventually it hit because I didn’t know English at all when I came here. And then I started making friends and whatnot in school, so it lessened the impact of leaving the family behind.
Chris Ardouny: Gotcha. Did the family that stayed have any specific feelings towards your guy’s departure?
Eduardo: Yeah, they were all sad. They were all, not upset in any way. They were just sad that we were leaving.
Chris: Have any of them followed in your family’s footsteps?
Eduardo: No, they’ve all decided to remain down there. And, although a few of them have been up here and one’s going to visit next year, one, one cousin with her daughter is going to visit. She visited us about seven years ago. But no, they made their lives down there and they decided to stay.
Chris: Gotcha. I guess you kind of answered where you first settled here in the U. S., could you just elaborate on why your family decided to choose Baltimore? Did you say?
Eduardo: Yeah, Baltimore, like I said. Initially my dad came to New York and he worked there. I don’t know what he did for the year or a year and a half or so that he was there before we came, but then he had a friend also in Baltimore who told him it was a little easier and not as crazy as New York was and he got a job and he decided he was gonna stay there and that’s where we came.
Chris: Okay, gotcha. I guess being new to the United States how did you go about finding housing and you know school, obviously speaking a different language was your family supporting you? Did you have any external support?
Eduardo: Well, I had finished first grade when I came over here and my dad already had a job and had an apartment. And that’s where we moved to when we arrived. And there was no issue with finding a place to stay because he already had one and was waiting for us. As far as school, I remember there was a; the apartment where we first lived was on a little, like a block, square park in Baltimore, in West Baltimore, and there was a school at one end of the block, an elementary school. So yes that was the school that I went to. They enrolled me into the second grade, and like I said, I didn’t know any English, and it was really interesting at first, because I remember going home one day and asking my dad what yes meant, because all the kids would say yes, like when the teacher called on them, and I had no idea what it meant. And you start picking it up, and as a kid, you pick it up quickly, so, and really, you know, kind of, by six months, I think I was speaking English.
Chris: Did you feel like the school accommodated you for your Spanish speaking?
Eduardo: No, because that was 1972, and I don’t think they had all the accommodations that they have now, you know. I think the um, either a school counselor or a school psychologist or somebody spoke Spanish, so they helped me out somewhat, but there was no accommodation in the classroom itself for a kid who didn’t speak English. There was no, you know, English is a foreign language, there was no you know special education classes or anything like that. I mean, I didn’t need them. It’s just I didn’t speak the language, but it was good because it was immersive and so I learned quickly.
Chris: Did you feel left out at all? Or did you have kind of a community at that elementary school?
Eduardo: I think the kids at first, because I didn’t speak English, they thought, you know, I was like, you know, there was something wrong with me kind of thing. But then as soon as they realized I’m just like them, it was an inner city school, so there was a little mix of everything. And I think they realized I’m just another kid and I made friends and, you know, it kind of went from there.
Chris: Yeah. I guess regarding that, like other aspects of adjustment, other than language, were there any other difficulties that you had being.
Eduardo: That I personally had? I would say that was the biggest issue. But like I said, as a kid, it wasn’t a difficulty, it was just something to overcome and I did quickly. I did well in school and we stayed in that neighborhood for about, let me see probably about five years, but we moved to a different place that was bigger and a little nicer. And, I don’t, I don’t think I had like any, at least me personally, had any difficulties.
Chris: Did your direct family members, your mom or your dad?
Eduardo: Have difficulties?
Chris: Yeah
Eduardo: I think my dad, since he had been here already, he knew a little bit of English. My mom didn’t know any English and she got a job as a seamstress at a Misty Harbor Coat factory. And she worked there for several years and, you know, eventually learned English and went on to other jobs and stuff. And I think that’s probably her biggest thing also. And then, they used to go to church in Baltimore, a Spanish speaking church where they had Spanish masses, where they met other Hispanics. And you know, became friends and joined that kind of community. So that opened up a lot of other avenues.
Chris: Gotcha. I guess, can you describe the process you went through to obtain U. S. citizenship?
Eduardo: Well for me, for me personally, it was easy because both my parents became citizens when, when I was still under age, under 18, and they became citizens and because I was their child I also became a citizen, so I didn’t even have to go in and do like a swearing in or anything. I wish I could, I could have.
Chris: Why is that?
Eduardo: Cause I think it’s a really cool, important ceremony where, you know, people that want to be here, go ahead and sort of become American. So, but you know, I got my certificate; I’ve always wanted to know the difference. My parents got a certificate of naturalization and I got a certificate of citizenship. I don’t know what the difference is and I’ve always wanted to know, but I’m a US citizen and you know, that’s, that’s that.
Chris: Well, maybe after this I can, I can get back to you on the difference.
Eduardo: Oh, sure. If you know, let me know.
Chris: Yeah. Do some research on it. And then, are you still a citizen of Ecuador?
Eduardo: No, no, I didn’t, I didn’t keep, I mean I could get dual citizenship, but I don’t see any benefit to me to have an Ecuadorian passport. When I travel, I’d rather travel as an American citizen. Yeah, so, no, I didn’t keep it.
Chris: I guess, you know, you mentioned not seeing any benefit of having dual citizenship. Could you just elaborate on that a little bit?
Eduardo: Well, I think I was 17 when I became a citizen, my parents and I became citizens. And if I had maintained Ecuadorian citizenship, I would have had to, would have had to go into the army there. And, you know, do whatever it is, two, three years of, of service. Something I didn’t want to do, at least not there. And, also I would have been liable for taxes in Ecuador. And since I didn’t live there, I’m like, why do I need to do these things?
Chris: Was that a – was military service a requirement?
Eduardo: Yes, it’s required there.
Chris: Okay, gotcha.
Eduardo: You know like a draft.
Chris: And I guess just throughout your journey here, at what point did you kind of feel like you were American or had a sense of belonging or membership?
Eduardo: I mean, once I got a little older, I you know, like I started playing little league baseball and all that kind of stuff. And it was just part of the community. So I did that for about three or four years, I think, little league. And we were the famous A’s. I remember the name of the team. And that was sort of like, you know, the all American thing, playing baseball as a kid. And I think that really was one of the things that kind of cemented it for me. That you know, you’re an American. You’re doing these things.
Chris: Yeah. And then did you carry, I guess when you were immersing yourself in a different culture, did you kind of leave aspects of your Ecuadorian culture behind? Did one outweigh the other?
Eduard: No, I mean, if you ask me where I’m from, I’m from Ecuador. I’m a U.S. citizen and I live here and I’ve lived here most of my life, but I consider myself Ecuadorian still. I mean, the culture, the food, just the way people are and the way they talk and, like I said, I still have a lot of family down there. We went in 2022; we went for like three or four weeks and just traveled the whole country with family and it was really cool. And it was just like, I never left, you know, 50 years later.
Chris: Yeah. Gotcha. And I guess in regards to that, you know, being born and a little bit raised in Ecuador and then spending most of your life here. Do you perceive yourself as American or Ecuadorian?
Eduardo: I think I’m an American in spirit and probably Ecuadorian in soul.
Chris: Gotcha.
Eduardo: If you know what I mean by that.
Chris: Yeah. Okay, and I guess what are some of the things that you appreciate about the U. S. or things that you didn’t expect?
Eduardo: The opportunity to do and be whatever you want to be, you know. I know like in Ecuador, there’s a lot of professionals. I mean, all my cousins; I have multiple cousins and their spouses are doctors and physicians and they live a decent life, but not as good as you could live here, for example. I think that would be the biggest thing, the opportunity, the availability of education, although education is relatively free down there. You know, you can go here to good public schools, you can go to a good university and make something of yourself. You can be whatever you want to be. And I think that’s the biggest thing that I feel is what this country is about.
Chris: When you look at, you know, the difference between Ecuador and the United States in regards to that feeling, how would you say that Ecuador kind of restrains or restricts that? If that makes sense.
Eduardo: Well, I think part of it is the political corruption that’s in the country. It’s, you know, it exists now. And, like the former president is in exile in Belgium, I think, because he’s wanted for corruption in Ecuador. And that takes away a lot from the funds and the money that’s available to do things for the public. And those things, I think, constrain the quality of life for people.
Chris: Yeah.
Eduardo: And it’s horrible. You know, you wonder why does it have to be this way. But sometimes I think about what the United States is like, I think there’s corruption here, It just takes a different mode because for example, in Ecuador, they’ll, you know, they’ll bribe a president, like literally just give money to do something, whereas here, you know, you do campaign contributions and that’s legal, but it’s the same damn thing. You’re giving a campaign contribution for them to do something for you. So, you know, it’s just, sometimes it’s the same thing, but just in a different disguise. And, um, but the way it is down there, I think it’s just much more out in the open. And it just leaves people sort of disenchanted with the politics of the country.
Chris: I guess in that sense, do you think a lot of people leave Ecuador for the same reasons? Or do you see a lot of people leaving Ecuador or most families staying?
Eduardo: Well, a lot of people emigrated from Ecuador to Spain in the last 20 years. I think If it was easier, to make a move and also they spoke the same language. I do see a lot of people coming to the United States still for the same reasons probably that we did for economic opportunity and just the ability to make something more of yourself.
Chris: Gotcha. Did you ever feel a sense of pressure because of the opportunity that your parents gave to you, in terms of like education, or job or success because they gave you a life of opportunity?
Eduardo: Right, I saw how hard they worked when we, when I was a kid and how hard they worked, you know, to put food on the table and everything. And that sort of made me hungry. I think, for something better. You know, my dad worked at; he worked several years at a margarine factory. And then he worked at Westinghouse where he retired from for like 20 years, which was a more professional job, and my mom worked for several years at that coat factory, but then she got a job; she worked at; she was a cashier at Safeway for a long time, but then she got a job with the state of Maryland, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and she was there for about 15 years, and that’s where she retired from. But I know how much they worked and how much they put into it, and I said to myself, you know, I mean, it’s not that I don’t want to work, but I don’t want to work like that. I want to make something of myself, and you kind of put the pressure on yourself to do these things.
Chris: And then I guess, with your family working a lot and then, you know, you growing up, did you or your family ever send money back to Ecuador and the community there?
Eduardo: Occasionally, but like I said earlier, my family was sort of middle class, so they weren’t, they weren’t like, they didn’t need it so much, but occasionally if they, if something came up, an emergency or something, I, we would. I still help out one of my cousins sometimes because she’s widowed and I know she had some issues a couple of years back, so I helped her out, but it wasn’t anything exorbitant. It was just, you know, a thousand dollars or something.
Chris: Gotcha. And I guess your situation may be different from others, and the opportunities that you have found yourself upon, but do you feel that, you know, the U. S., provides immigrants the same opportunities, or do you think it, it’s kind of a perception thing from; that differs from immigrant to immigrant?
Eduardo: Well, that’s going to be a deeper discussion because it depends what immigrants you’re talking about. If you’re talking about the undocumented immigrants who are coming in, that there’s been so much discussion about, I don’t think they have the same opportunities I did because they’re kind of living in the shadows a lot of them, you know, they may not be going to school because they’re undocumented or they may not be going to, you know, they can’t get work legitimately because they don’t have the paperwork. So there, I think their opportunities are much more limited than mine were. If you’re talking about the immigrants who come here through the regular process, you know, I think that they have the same opportunities I did. However, they’re probably being lumped into the same categories with the other ones. So you know, the people who are really anti immigration are probably; don’t really care how you got here. It’s probably just like, you know, you’re, you’re an immigrant, you’re, you’re an other and we don’t want you here kind of thing. So I think it’s probably tough being an immigrant. Like at least a newly arrived immigrant these days.
Chris: Gotcha. I guess, what do you wish more people understood about immigrants and you could go into the different types if you want.
Eduardo: What they understood about them?
Chris: Yeah.
Eduardo: That they’re people just like you. That they may look different, they may speak a different language, have different customs, but they’re just people like you wanting to do well for their families, making sure their kids get an education and become something. You know, want to get decent jobs and I think that’s probably the biggest thing. They’re not here because they want to take your job. They’re not here because they want to, you know, ruin the country, because they could go anywhere else in the world and they can go to Europe. They can go to Spain. They can go, you know, other places and they’re just people who are trying to better their lives. And I think that’s what this you know, historically that’s what this country’s been about. People come here from all over the place. You know what is it the – Give me your hungry your poor from the statue of liberty. The Emma Lazarus poem and I think that’s what’s really important. I wish people would go back to and think, because everybody that came here that’s here, was basically, their family was an immigrant at some point.
Chris: Yeah
Eduardo: I mean, you know, the only natives here were the Native Americans and you know, you had the Irish immigrations, the Germans, the Italians the Jews you had all these other groups and they each came and they made a go at it and here they are, so I think it’s really hypocritical for people to say, you know, we don’t want; and in particular now in the US we don’t want the brown people here and that’s I think that’s troubling.
Chris: Gotcha. In regards to that, do you have any current thoughts regarding the process of immigration? Like the pathway to citizenship and the recent proposal changes?
Eduardo: Well, when we became citizens, I think it took us just five years from when they applied, my parents applied for citizenship. To go through the whole process to do it, but now I understand that the process is such backlog, so backlogged that it takes much longer and it might discourage people from even trying. I think that for the undocumented immigrants who are already here, who’ve established a life and are working and doing, you know, whatever they’re doing, I think there needs to be a pathway for citizenship for them because they are contributing to the country, but they’re not getting everything back. I mean, some of them are paying taxes, but they’re not getting, you know, tax returns or tax refunds and things of that nature and it would allow them to make a better life too, instead of, like I said earlier, living in the shadows.
Chris: Yeah. Gotcha. And I guess moving on and moving back, towards your life; you mentioned high school, could you describe the process from high school to college and just any, any areas that you felt, you know, you found a sense of belonging with your own heritage or any barriers or maybe there were no barriers for you when college came along.
Eduardo: I went to The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore, which is; still is, it’s, like a citywide magnet school. it’s sort of like, what do you call it? T. J. here in D. C. or in Virginia. It was, it’s a very good high school and I was in the top program there in the science and natural sciences type program because there was there was also a an engineering tier that you can go into but I decided to go into the sciences because I thought I was gonna be a doctor, and then I did well there and went to, got accepted at Georgetown and went there and I thought, and I started taking pre med classes, but turns out I didn’t like it, just didn’t like the whole process and what it entailed so I changed, took a year off, changed my major to government and history and then decided about after three or four years after I graduated that I wanted to go to law school.
And there was like a whole reason why I wanted to go to law school, but there wasn’t really an obstacle. I mean, if anything, there was a financial obstacle, but luckily at that time, Georgetown was, I guess it would have been pricey for us. But I got financial aid and some scholarship money, which made it possible for me to go.
Chris: Gotcha.
Eduardo: So, and when I left, I mean compared to now, I only left with like ten thousand in debt, you know, which was, I think tuition was like 10, 000 a year at that time. So it was so much cheaper than it is today, but, for us it was still a considerable amount.
Chris: Did your; you know, going into, you mentioned government, and history and then law. Did that kind of change your perceptions on policies in the United States or did you feel like you wanted to contribute toward it in any way?
Eduardo: Well, I’ll tell you the reason why I decided to go to law school was because I was working college at an insurance company and at some point my mom had to have surgery in Baltimore where they were still living and they wanted; the doctors thought she would need blood so I donated blood because we were compatible. So I went down to Baltimore after class one day at Georgetown. Yeah, I was still, I was still a student actually. So after class, I took the train to Baltimore to go donate blood. And then when I came back, I stopped by Union station on the train and went to the phone to call one of my friends to see if they could pick me up from the train station. And either they didn’t answer or they couldn’t. And I was taking them to train the, um, escalator down to the Metro. So I can take it back towards school. And as I was going down the escalator, at least three or four guys grabbed me basically and didn’t drag me, but sort of pulled me to the bottom of the escalator and put me up against the wall. I was, you know, like this, sort of spread eagled and they were going through my belongings. I got; they were searching me and treating me like I had committed a crime or something. And I hadn’t. And then they, when they told me I could go, I asked them, what the hell what was that all about? And they said that I fit the profile of a drug courier, so that’s why they stopped me. They can’t do that now. At the time, they were doing that a lot. And you know, I decided that’s ridiculous. You’re not going to do that to me again. And yeah, hopefully not to anyone else. And that’s why I decided to go to law school.
Chris: I’m sorry to hear about that.
Eduardo: Yeah, no, I was, it was, I mean, other people have gone through much worse with the police, but I mean, to me, it was just such a humiliation, you know, here I am going back to school at Georgetown and I’m getting, you know, frisked because they think I look like a drug dealer or drug runner or something, which I thought it was ridiculous.
Chris: Gotcha.
Eduardo: Yeah.
Chris: I guess did that, and you don’t have to answer this, but did that kind of, was that like a feeling of prejudice and could you kind of put yourself in, was that a moment where you could put yourself in other people’s shoes?
Eduardo: Oh yeah, because, it was because I was Hispanic and I had, I basically had like a one way train ticket from Baltimore because I had bought it. I had one way there and then one way back and had like a return ticket and, you know, carrying a backpack, which I guess they thought I had like a couple kilos or something in. And, I mean I, it was, what do you call it, um, profiling. And absolutely it was because of my race. Yeah, no, that impacted me and I, and I felt like that shouldn’t happen to anyone. You know?
Chris: Yeah. Gotcha. Was that a worry that you had for, you know, you have two children. Was that ever a concern or a thought that came across your mind?
Eduardo: I do because I know you, you know, both my kids, you know, they, I don’t at least in my mind, like Marco, especially doesn’t look completely white. He looks like he’s got some ethnic, component to him and I hope it doesn’t ever pop up for him. Like, you know, if he’s stopped by the police or the same thing is happening or happened to me, I think that would be horrible because it is a humiliation.
Chris: Yeah.
Eduardo: Yeah.
Chris: Have you ever like discussed, not what to do in those situations, but that those situations might arise at some point, like it happened to you.
Eduardo: I’ve told them, they know about that story and we’ve talked about it and I’ve told them, you know, how to act and how to talk to the police and if it gets stopped by the police, you know, put your hand on the steering wheel and that kind of stuff. You just, you never know.
Chris: I gotcha. And I guess, you know, now that we’ve mentioned, you know, you have two kids, are there any Ecuadorian traditions or values or cultures or just aspects that you kind of pass down or continue here in the States?
Eduardo: Yeah, and I am going to say I do regret it that we never, or I never taught them Spanish when they were young. My wife wanted me to so bad, but it was always very difficult for me somehow to speak, to do the English-Spanish thing with them. And so it didn’t happen, but I mean, they both took Spanish in school and they understand, some, you know, some conversation and just last night, as a matter of fact, because Marco’s here from college, as you know, he, they both wanted this dish called seco. It’s like a stew from Ecuador. And so I made it and they just gobbled it up and it’s, you know, they know the food from down there. Sophie loves to make these other, yuca, like fritters that I make. They’re like cheese stuffed and, you know, we’ll go out on the patio and make them when she gets the hanker for them. And when we were down in Ecuador, they were exposed to a lot of the food and things of that nature that you know, I hadn’t exposed them to. And I think pretty cognizant of where they came from and what life is like down there.
Chris: Whenever you, you know, you make those dishes, do you kind of feel like you’re back in your roots or do you always feel like, you know, you have Ecuadorian in you.
Eduardo: I always, I always feel like I have it in me, but when we make those foods and others that we make, it does kind of take you back a little bit to, you know, to what I remember as a kid and my, our visit a couple of years back. And I mean, it’s cool just to have something that’s, not a part of everybody else.
Chris: Yeah. Gotcha. And then I guess, you know, with your two children, what, you know, kind of hopes and dreams do you have for them especially looking on your own life and your own pathway, you know, coming here at six and you have two children who, you know, have a different life than you, but you know, what do you kind of like hope for them hope, for their future?
Eduardo: I have a really good friend who is from Burma, he’s older than I am by about eight years and he came here when he was 16 as an immigrant with his family and kind of went through the same thing I did, you know, they they had to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and they were they were poor and you know came here with like a Christian organization that sponsored them, that kind of thing. And we both talk about our upbringing and how we were, we were hungry. We wanted, we wanted stuff. We wanted to, you know, live in a nice house and, and, and whatever, be able to do what you want to do. And we’re both concerned that our kids don’t have that same drive perhaps that we did. But you know, it’s sort of like a double edged sword because, we work hard in order to provide for our kids, and then that kind of makes them I don’t want to say soft, but it makes them a little, what’s the word? Not have that internal drive that makes you want to get out of the situation you were in kind of thing, and I hope that that’s not the case. I mean I see them both wanting to, you know, they’re both going to go to college and move on with their lives. But, you know, I wonder how much they’re going to want to really go for something that’s out there.
Chris: Do you ever talk about that with them?
Eduardo: I haven’t yet, because it’s kind of a tough conversation to have. You don’t want to say, hey, you’re you know, not hungry. And because I don’t see them as being, they’re not lazy, they’re not, you know, they did well in school and Sophia, They’re doing well in school and Marco. And, so it’s a tough conversation. I don’t think I had to have it yet. Hopefully I won’t, but who knows? Maybe I will.
Chris: Yeah and I guess kind of just wrapping this up, if you could go back and talk to yourself before migrating to the U S what advice would you give to yourself?
Eduardo: Before migrating?
Chris: Yeah.
Eduardo: Oof, that’s a tough one. You know, I’m not gonna toot my own horn, but I thought, well, I should say this. The decision to come here or not wasn’t mine, obviously, because I was coming with my parents. I think it probably would have been to, because when I came at first, although we remained close with my family, I didn’t have that much contact with them anymore, to make long distance calls would cost of fortune, you know, so I would write letters and things like that, and send pictures and And I guess I would say don’t lose that connection because I think we did for a few years. We didn’t have that much contact and we started up before I thought before our trip but ever since our trip, I mean it’s been a long time obviously since I moved, but we were always so tight that it was like, like I never left, you know, my cousins, I mean, cousins, not even brothers. They were all, we’re all very tight, very close. And I guess it would be, the advice would be stay close to your roots but follow your dream.
Chris: Have you tried changing that and really being in touch with them now?
Eduardo: Yeah. We are. We’re in a WhatsApp chat group where we send, you know, it’s like a chat group for the family. Anything anybody has to say, we’ll say. You know, happy birthdays and here’s the latest news or this is going on and stuff like that.
Chris: Have you ever had them visit you in the States?
Eduardo: Yeah, my cousin Indira and her daughter visited back in 16, I think. And then she was actually supposed to come last week, but then her trip would have been too short and it wasn’t really worth it. So now she’s gonna come in the summer and stay a little longer. So I mean, and then my other cousin, her sister, they’re supposed to visit us too. So hopefully it’ll be soon.
Chris: Yeah, and has the other cousin been here before?
Eduardo: Indira the first one? Or
Chris: The second one?
Eduardo: The second one, not to visit us but she’s been to out west, like California and those areas.
Chris: Gotcha. And then you mentioned previously, I just want to go back to it, that, you know, you didn’t, it wasn’t your choice to come here. And you know, the next coming president has mentioned that, you know, it doesn’t matter if it wasn’t your choice or not. We’re going to take your parents away and then see.
Eduardo: Even if you’re a citizen, we’ll deport all of you.
Chris: How does that make you feel and, you know, with your situation?
Eduardo: I think it’s horrible.
Chris: Yeah. I think it’s horrible. Under the law, first of all, anyone born in the United States is a citizen. And, you know, even if their parents are undocumented, they’re still U.S. citizens. I don’t understand how legally they’re going to deport the children. But If they deport the parents, what’s going to become of those children if they stay here? Maybe they’ll stay with family who are documented. I don’t know. But I think that’s just a horrible policy. And the whole thing about mass deportations, I think, again, is short sighted. And it’s only, meant to stir up the base and to well, mainly to stir up the base because it’s totally impractical because most of the immigrants who are here, especially undocumented, are doing these jobs that people here don’t want to do. You know, they’re picking our crops, they’re constructing our buildings, they’re, you know, working in the kitchen in your restaurants, they’re being your busboys, they’re doing all the sort of dirty jobs, if you want to call them that, that nobody here wants to do. And, you know, let’s say they do round up and take, send all these people, you know, it’s going to be horrible for the country. Your food prices are going to go up. Your restaurants are going to close. I mean, it’s just such a short sighted idea. Short sighted I think, and also, evil is not the right word, but just sort of venal.
Chris: It’s Immoral, not moral?
Eduardo: Yeah, yeah, I mean, just because you, you know, you have this belief you’re going to uproot the lives of millions of people who have been here for God knows how long I mean, they’re you know there are kids with DACA. Who are probably going to be sent back, the kids that were brought here as children, they didn’t have a choice and they’ve made their lives here. I mean a lot of them are, you know going to school, going to university become professional. What are you going to just tear their lives apart? Yeah, you know you got other people in those situations. And I personally, I think it’s horrible.
Chris: Because of your story, have you kind of felt like a responsibility or felt more involved, regarding immigration and the topics currently?
Eduardo: Well, we’re very involved in the sense of we’re aware of what’s going on and, politically involved, we were more involved in this, this last election. And, you know, unfortunately for us, the candidate we supported didn’t win. And we’ll have to see what happens these next four years.
Chris: Yeah.
Eduardo: I think, like I said, the proposals are so short sighted. They are, not well thought out. And the process to carry them out, I think it’s going to take years if it does at all, and they’ll be tied up in the courts also. So I don’t know how much is actually going to be done, which is why I said it’s just, it’s, it’s more to stir people up to, you know, to vote for them and then to actually carry out an agenda. But we’ll see.
Chris: You mentioned the dreamers and, you know, DACA recipients. Have you ever seen the videos of those people coming forward online and kind of mentioning their story.
Eduardo: And I mean I’ve seen some but you know, not a lot I mean, but I have seen some so I think I know what you’re talking about and I think that’s what this country is about. You know they got here and they made something of themselves. They’re contributing members of society you know, I mean you got lawyers, I know that there’s lawyers who are undocumented because they came as children with their parents and they don’t have a pathway to citizenship and I think that’s just that’s just it’s not right
Chris: Gotcha. I guess going back to your story again. Was there anything else that you would like to share, we covered high school college. You know, you getting your law degree. Was there anything afterwards? You know, anything you’d just like to get out there
Eduardo: No, I think that anyone who, anyone who comes here, I think should come here with the idea of being a contributing member of the society in which you live in, which is this country, the United States, of taking advantage of all the opportunities that it gives to you, to do something with yourself and your family and also to you know, just make it a better place than, than you found it. I mean, I think that’s what we all should do. You know, do I agree if an immigrant comes here and lives on, off welfare for 10 years and you know, doesn’t work and stuff? No, I don’t agree with that. As far as I know, the numbers of that, the instances of that happening are very low because typically, you know, they can’t get welfare, they can’t get those, that kind of aid that other people get. So, but those are the things I would, I would say that are, are important to any immigrant coming to the United States.
Chris: Gotcha. I guess that’s all I have for you.
Eduardo: Yeah that’s great.
Chris: Thank you for your time.
Eduardo: Sure. If you need anything else, let me know.
Chris: I will. Thank you
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