Interview with Linda Rio
Introduction
Linda Rios’ migration story is a window into the complex realities of global migration, family dynamics, and the multifaceted processes of integration. Born in Peru, Linda migrated to the United States at the age of 15, following a path shaped by her family’s decisions and the opportunities they believed the U.S. could offer. Her story encapsulates key themes of migration and settlement, including push-and-pull factors, the role of family and networks, and the challenges of integration in a new cultural and social landscape. Through this oral history, we explore not only Linda’s personal experiences but also broader sociological themes, such as immigration policy, contexts of reception, and the evolving nature of belonging.
Migration: Push-and-Pull Factors and Family Networks
Linda’s migration story is deeply intertwined with her family’s history and decisions. Her parents migrated to the United States when she was six years old, leaving her in the care of her grandparents in Peru. This separation, while difficult, allowed her parents to establish a foundation in the U.S. before reuniting with her. The decision for Linda to migrate at age 15 was not her own; it was made by her parents as a means to provide her with better opportunities.
Her migration process was relatively structured. Linda traveled to the U.S. on a visa as a minor, facilitated by her parents’ legal residency. She recounts the rigorous steps required to prepare for her journey, including medical exams, vaccinations, and extensive paperwork. These experiences illustrate the bureaucratic hurdles involved in migration, even for those entering legally. Linda’s story contrasts with her father’s experience of migrating through irregular means, traveling across several countries before crossing the U.S. border. This juxtaposition highlights the varying paths and complexities of migration within a single family.
The emotional toll of leaving her grandparents, who were her primary caregivers, marked a significant moment in Linda’s journey. The forced separation from loved ones underscores the sacrifices often inherent in migration, as families weigh the emotional cost of leaving against the potential benefits of new opportunities.
Settlement: Housing, Neighborhoods, and Social Adjustment
The process of settlement in a new country often entails navigating unfamiliar systems of housing, community, and social norms. For Linda, moving from Lima, Peru, to Virginia was a dramatic shift in her living environment. In Lima, homes were close together, fostering a sense of community and familiarity. Upon arriving in the U.S., Linda was struck by the physical and social distance between neighbors, which she found isolating. This contrast illustrates the challenges of adjusting to a different cultural context, where the norms of social interaction and community dynamics may differ significantly.
Linda’s family’s economic situation also influenced their settlement experience. Her father worked long hours in physically demanding jobs, first in Washington, D.C., and later in Virginia, while her mother balanced work and childcare. Their dedication to securing stable housing and providing for the family was evident, but it left little time for social engagement or the development of community ties. Linda’s account of her family having only one close family friend underscores the isolating effects of economic pressures and the limited support systems available to immigrants in new destinations.
The housing market in Virginia also shaped Linda’s family’s settlement experience. Unlike some urban areas with established immigrant enclaves, the suburban setting in Newport News offered fewer opportunities for cultural connection. Over time, Linda adapted to her environment, but the initial period of settlement was marked by feelings of disorientation and longing for the close-knit community she had left behind in Peru.
Integration: School, Work, and Cultural Adaptation
Integration is a multifaceted and contingent process, shaped by individual agency and the contexts of reception. For Linda, integration began with her enrollment in high school and participation in an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. These programs, designed to support non-native English speakers, provided Linda with a critical entry point into American education and culture. She described the ESL classroom as a space of camaraderie and mutual support, where students from diverse immigrant backgrounds bonded over shared challenges. This sense of community was essential in helping Linda navigate the cultural and linguistic barriers she faced.
Despite the support of the ESL program, Linda’s integration into the broader school environment was not without its difficulties. She noted the stark differences between the educational systems in Peru and the U.S., particularly the emphasis on science and theoretical knowledge in American schools compared to the practical, job-oriented curriculum in Peru. This shift required Linda to adapt her learning style and expectations, adding to the challenges of cultural adjustment.
Work also played a significant role in Linda’s integration journey. Starting at age 16, she took on part-time jobs to support herself and her family. Her early experiences in the workforce, including roles as a hostess at a Mexican restaurant and a seasonal worker at Busch Gardens, reflect the economic pressures faced by many young immigrants. These jobs provided Linda with valuable exposure to American work norms and opportunities to practice her English, but they also highlighted the structural barriers that limited her career aspirations. For example, financial constraints and her parents’ concerns about her language skills prevented her from pursuing her dream of studying fashion design at Virginia Commonwealth University. Instead, she enrolled in community college, where she continued to build the skills needed for long-term success.
Membership: Identity, Citizenship, and Belonging
Linda’s sense of membership in U.S. society has evolved significantly over time. Initially, she felt disconnected from her new environment, grappling with cultural differences, language barriers, and a longing for the familiarity of Peru. Over the years, however, she has built a life in the U.S. that she describes as deeply fulfilling. Becoming a U.S. citizen was a pivotal moment in this process, granting her the right to vote and affirming her sense of belonging. For Linda, citizenship represents more than legal status; it is a symbol of her integration into American society and her ability to contribute meaningfully to her community.
At the same time, Linda maintains strong ties to Peru, visiting annually and celebrating Peruvian traditions with her family in the U.S. These rituals, such as observing Christmas Eve and preparing traditional foods like panettone, allow Linda to preserve her cultural heritage while adapting to her life in the U.S. This dual connection reflects the complex nature of immigrant identity, where feelings of belonging are often shared between multiple places.
Linda’s reflections on discrimination and exclusion also reveal the ongoing challenges of belonging. She recounted instances in Harrisonburg where she felt unwelcome due to her ethnicity, highlighting the persistence of systemic inequities that impact immigrants, even those who have lived in the U.S. for decades. These experiences underscore the importance of creating more inclusive communities that recognize and value the contributions of immigrants.
Contexts of Reception: Schools, Labor Markets, and Community Support
The contexts of reception that immigrants encounter upon arrival play a crucial role in shaping their experiences. For Linda, the supportive environment of the ESL program was a key factor in her successful adaptation to the U.S. school system. However, her broader experience of reception was mixed, reflecting the varying attitudes and resources available to immigrants in different contexts.
In the labor market, Linda faced both opportunities and barriers. While her legal status allowed her to work, her limited English proficiency initially restricted her to entry-level jobs. Over time, she gained confidence and skills, building a stable career and achieving financial independence. This progression highlights the contingent nature of integration, where access to resources and opportunities can significantly influence outcomes.
Community support was another critical factor in Linda’s experience. Although her family had limited social connections, the friendships she formed with other immigrants in the ESL program provided a sense of solidarity and mutual support. These relationships were instrumental in helping Linda navigate the cultural and structural challenges of integration, reinforcing the importance of social networks in the immigrant experience.
Immigration Policy and the Politics of Entry
Linda’s migration story also sheds light on the political dimensions of immigration policy. Her father’s initial irregular entry into the U.S. and subsequent legalization through employment illustrate the complex interplay between labor markets and immigration systems. These pathways, while providing opportunities for some, often exclude others based on arbitrary criteria, perpetuating inequalities within the immigration system.
Linda’s legal entry on a visa, facilitated by her parents’ residency, reflects the advantages of family reunification policies. However, her story also highlights the bureaucratic hurdles and emotional challenges associated with these processes. The requirement for medical exams, vaccinations, and extensive documentation underscores the gatekeeping function of immigration policy, which prioritizes certain types of migrants while imposing significant burdens on others.
Conclusion
Linda Rios’ oral history offers a powerful narrative of migration, settlement, and integration, illustrating the interplay of structural forces and individual agency in the immigrant experience. Her journey highlights the sacrifices and resilience required to navigate cultural differences, language barriers, and systemic inequities while building a life in a new country. By examining her story through the lenses of migration theories, contexts of reception, and the politics of immigration, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrants in the United States.
Linda’s experiences also underscore the importance of inclusive policies and supportive programs in fostering successful integration. From ESL programs in schools to pathways for legal residency and citizenship, these structures play a critical role in shaping the trajectories of immigrants and their families. As communities like Harrisonburg continue to welcome new immigrants, Linda’s story serves as a reminder of the value of compassion, understanding, and equity in creating a society where all individuals can thrive. Also, her narrative serves as a testament to the strength and contributions of immigrant communities, as well as a call for greater compassion and equity in how we approach immigration policies and practices.
All right. We’re going to go ahead and start off the interview. My name is Valeria Vanegas and I am interviewing Ms. Linda Rios. And how old are you, Ms. Linda Rios? I am 36 years old. How long have you been in the U. S.? I’ve been in the U. S. for almost 22 years. So you came when you were about 15? 15. Yeah. And how long have you lived in Harrisonburg?
Uh, recently, like a year ago, but I live in, um, Um, I live in Virginia for like, since I came to the States. So, okay. Okay. Okay. And to start us off, um, can you share a little bit of your personal journey to the United States? Um, and that what were some of the most significant moments that during this process that you remember?
Cause you were pretty young. Um, so I came to this state, the United States because of my parents. So they live here for I will say 20 years, uh, when I moved to the United States and I lived with my grandparents back in Peru. And they, um, so before I turned 18, my, my dad was like, it’s time for you to come
And that’s how I came to this country without, it was not my decision. It was my parents decision because I was under 18. So, um, You never really thought of coming to the United States. You didn’t, that was not something you had planned or you wanted to do. No, no, I never planned but I knew it was coming because my parents have lived here since I was six years old.
Okay. So the idea of me coming to the States was always there. It was just a matter of time and you know when I turned 15 that’s when they decided for me to come move back, to move with them. And so how was that experience of living in Peru while your pair, both of your parents are here in the United States?
It was, it was kind of difficult cause back in the day we didn’t have much of social media or the internet wasn’t, you know, uh, the technology wasn’t as good as it is right now. So I remember my mom or my dad will call us at least once a week because our internet, we didn’t have internet. We only had like a phone.
That wasn’t me. We only were able to use at least, you know, not all the time. Not, it wasn’t like unlimited minutes like it is now. But, I mean, I grew up with my grandparents. And they were very, I am very happy that I grew up with them because I was able to learn a lot from them and have a great foundation in my life.
Okay, so you would say that’s probably what would probably be as the most significant moment during your process of coming to the United States I’m saying goodbye to my grandparents. My grandpa is the one that helped me through the whole process He’s the one because I was a minor. So he’s the one that took me through all the process of the immigration when you are in order to come to this To the United States, you have to go through medical check, you gotta get certain type of shots, like, um, you gotta get all your paperwork, they do a lot of, um, check in order to come in, into the States, because I was traveling by myself, I had to get all the right papers, and my grandpa was the one that, um, Took me through the whole process.
Yeah, of course, that’s interesting. So you didn’t come, so you came on a visa? Yes, I came on a visa, uh, because I was underage and my parents were residents of the United States. Okay. When, um, they decided for me to come. So your parents were already residents, they didn’t, they didn’t come over illegally either?
Okay, so can you tell me a little bit more of how, were both your parents, did both of your parents come over illegally or did they come at the same time? No, my, so my dad, so my grandpa, my dad’s dad, it’s in the U, uh, in the Marine, the Navy in Peru. He was in the Navy, he just retired from Peru and he got a promo, uh, a work.
Um, opportunity to come to the States and that’s how my grandpa came first. That was 36 years ago. And then my, um, he found a job for my dad to come to the States, but he couldn’t get into the whole, um, visa deal. So my dad had to come through different countries from Peru. So he went from Peru. Then he went to El Salvador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and then he went up to Mexico, and then from Mexico to here, he does, he came in illegally, through the border, um, he, and then when he was here for a year, um, my mom, came to the states with my little brother.
He was one at the time. And my mom, my mom came with a visa, with a work visa, uh, through my grandpa, uh, contact that he had here in the states. So my mom came legally, my dad didn’t, but then my dad found a job, um, that he worked, he’s been, he just recently retired from that job and he was there for like 30 years.
Um, and then, so he, he was able to get his, um, papers and all the, um, legally by, through that job. So it was like a job visa that he got. Um, but yeah, so, I wasn’t, I didn’t come legally, but I know my dad did and I know it was a love. It was a kind of a, um, It was a lot of learning for him because he had to go through different countries and he had to stay there for like a couple months in order to come to the States.
So now, tell me what type of job? your dad had when he first came here? He worked for a big company up in D. C. Um, called Astor Dean, but that company he, he do like a marble or wood restoration and even elevators maintenance. So he started in D. C. then he moved to North Carolina and then he moved to Virginia.
Um, so he’s, that’s how he started working in the States. States. Okay. And when, so by the time that you came to the States, he was already moved into? Yeah, he, I mean, when I came to the States, I was 15 and he, he already had a stable job. He had a house. So by, I mean, it was like, he left me when I was six. So when I was six, From six through to seven years.
Yeah, seven years that he, you know, he got the job He moved around and trying to find a better better opportunity and he found that in Virginia Okay, and I know you said that your parents obviously basically you were a minor so you were forced to come here, but Do you think it was? Were you motivated to come here like obviously yes your parents forced you but were you excited were you Was it a new beginning for you and more opportunities or was it more of just like you wish you could have stayed home When I was younger when I was my first couple years, I was like I need to go back home because um when I was in Peru I, I mean, coming to the States, it was a big change of the culture, the language, and English is not my first language.
So learning that at the age of 15 was not easy, but then also when I was in Peru, I was taking, I always wanted to be a fashion designer, so I took classes and I remember like having a whole. Um, Schedule for like the, you know, for two years so I can get like a career there. But then coming here kind of had to stop because I didn’t have the opportunity in the States.
Um, I think my grandparents were more like my grandpa. I remember saying it’s going to be a better opportunity. You need to go. You’re going to learn the language. You’re going to learn this. You’re going to. Their mind was like, okay, it’s a better opportunity if you go to the States. So I kind of didn’t have an option, but now that I’m 36, I definitely understand why.
And it was a big, better opportunity. That’s interesting to hear. Do you, um, so how did your expectations of United States compared to the reality when you first arrived here? Like what surprised you the most of when you got here first? Um, so I remember when I live back in, in Newport News, uh, we, so I’m from Peru.
I’m from the capital, Lima. And over there is like a lots and lots of people around the area. So, and then I’m, you know, like, you have your house and the house is next to you. The other house is next to you, so close to each other. So, your neighbors are very close. That was my first thing when I came to, um, to Virginia.
Um, there was, the houses were separated. You didn’t know your neighbors. Nobody talked to you, like that thing of, Oh, we know each other because we’re neighbors. That wasn’t a thing here. So I learned through, it was not something I was expecting. And I think also when I came, um, to the states. I went to, I arrived in New York City for the first day and I stayed there for three days with my parents.
So it was a big difference, um, you know, coming to the states for the first time and looking at New York City, all this, and things that you see in the movies. Um, so that was kind of a shock, but when I, you know, we were like, okay, we’re going home, When I went to Newport News, I was like, oh, that’s a big change.
Everything was so different. Not a lot of people on the streets, not a lot of, um, it was a big difference for me. Um, that was a big adjustment. I think that was the most challenging thing. Uh, like the food, the language, not being able to know what’s around, not being able to know the language was a big, big challenge.
Yeah. Yeah, I can understand how that could be a little bit of a culture shock, especially living in Peru, having a lot of people around you, being so close to your community and coming here. And it just, it’s, you know, it’s a little bit more spaced out. You kind of have to reach out if you talk to your neighbors.
Um, But so did you, in that time period that you came here, did you obviously received help because you were a minor from your parents, but did you have any friends that you knew here that, or like, did you receive, like, how was the support from your friends and family back home, back in Peru? And once you got here, how did they support you throughout this process?
That obviously most problem, I figured most of them know that they, you didn’t really want to come. Yeah. Um, when I came to the, I mean, I went to school, I didn’t have any friends in the States at all. So when I started, um, school, high school, I went to this program that’s called ESL, it’s English as a second language.
So in order for me to go to high school, I had to go through that process. And that’s where I met new friends, you know, people from all over the world, like people from Cuba, um, Bosnia, Iran, like different people. and Mexico too. So they became my friends and I think when you’re an immigrant you, and you find another person who’s an immigrant, the connection is like, it’s a quick connection because I remember going to the school and we didn’t, we didn’t know any English and learning, like we were learning together and we were trying to get, um, learning the culture, learning the people.
the school, the classes, the even the school because it was a new thing because moving around the classroom during your each each subject so and then I think that connection was really good between when you meet new friends uh and that we support each other at the beginning to some of them knew more English some of them didn’t there were some people that were new so it was just like okay now it’s your turn to help but I think they were a really good support my friends back in Peru But Those back in the day.
We had the messenger that you will have you will chat with people like online And that’s the only way we stayed in touch through those messages or even emails the communication wasn’t as big as it is now because there was not social media or Facebook wasn’t I Remember it was a myspace or high five so You know, they will keep me in touch because I didn’t graduate with my friends in Peru.
I was supposed to graduate early from high school, but because I came here, I was moved down a grade, so I had to start all over high school, like ninth grade. Um, because my English, you know, I had no, they did like a test, an assessment, and then they realized my English was like none, zero, nothing. So I think that having my friends over there, knowing, they knew that I didn’t want to come here, but they were always trying to stay in touch with me, trying to ask how I was doing, and then even my friends here in.
Um, in the States. So, and I have so many good friends that we started. Um, because when you, you know, you learn new culture, you learn new language, it’s hard. So, and the great thing about it is like you get to learn other people’s culture, other countries culture. Um, so, yeah, it was a challenge, but I think now I, I am grateful that I was able to move here.
Okay, and how do you think that coming here on a visa and coming to a new high school and having to go through the whole ESL program and given that, well, what year do they normally graduate in Peru? Uh, we only go through, high school goes through 11th, uh, um, 11th grade. We graduate when you’re in the 11th grade.
And here we graduate. on the 12th grade. So it’s like extra year high school in Bruno. So you would have graduated when you’re what, 16 then? Yes. So you had one more year to graduate. Yeah, and I graduated here when I was 18. Okay, so how, and that, how did that affect, how do you think that affected you? Do you feel like you learned more maybe, possibly?
Or is it like, more of like, well, it’s kind of just what they’re throwing at me. Um, well, my first year was more like about learning the language, learning the language. And then this, it was like, okay, let’s get to know, you know, they couldn’t give me a lot of classes because my, they knew they didn’t, I did not need English.
But with math, they gave me like regular math, because math is just numbers, right? So it was more like, easier to learn. Um, I don’t think, I think I learned a lot, but back in Peru, I was in a high school that was, they were teaching you anything, uh, technical as, as far as computer, uh, how to write, you know, like on a computer, like, and that was what my school was about.
Uh, they were teaching you accounting classes. They were, they were teaching a lot of different things because they were, the idea was to get ready. for when you’re graduating from high school like so you can get ready for next, you know, um, so you can go to specific college. Um, so they kind of like that school I was going to was getting you ready for next um, but coming here I think I learned a lot more depth into science.
I think here they focus so much about science. In Peru it’s more like, okay, let’s teach you this so you can survive out there. Not just like, you know, getting you ready for next, getting you ready for to find a great, a good job, getting you ready for what’s next. When you’re 18, what are you going to do next?
Because you are considered an adult when you turn 18 in Peru. Um, so yeah, but it wasn’t, I think it was a good, the way they divided, cause I was able to learn more into science in this when I went to high school here. Okay. So since, since you graduated at 18, um, you graduated at 18 from high school here.
And after that, obviously, you know, in high school, it’s in the United States, it’s always okay. So what now? You’re 18, you’re in Bernadotte, what are you gonna do now? So what do you think are some some of the challenges you faced while trying to find a job or starting a career in the U. S.? Well, um, when I, when one of the biggest challenge was finding a job.
Um, I did have my papers, so it was a lot easier in that, you know, on that way. But then having, you know, Not knowing any English, because you have to learn, you have to be able to communicate. So I went through different jobs. I remember I started working, um, when I was 16 and a half. I worked at Busch Gardens, um, and I worked, uh, I started working at a Mexican restaurant.
That was one of my first jobs as a hostess, because it was more like the basics, right? You didn’t have to really talk to speak English much. But it was more the basics. That was through my high school years. But then, when it was time for me to graduate from high school, I wanted to be, I wanted to follow what I did in Peru.
That was the fashion design, um, class. And I was going to, I wanted to go to VCU. That was my, my dream, to go to VCU. And I remember, Going to an open house with my parents to VCU But unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go. My dad was like, you know, maybe you’re not ready yet Because he was so worried about me not knowing the language like, you know, I was in the process of learning So that was a big Downfall for me, but I was a after you know, that was my goal.
I’m like, okay, maybe I’ll go to Uh VCU eventually, but also, you know, money was a big thing for us too. So going to college, uh, we didn’t know anything about, um, scholarships back in the day. Now we are more informed, but back in the day we didn’t have any because my parents were just working. So they didn’t have the time or like, oh, let me see what’s next for you.
And but I was able to go to a community college back in Newport News and they, you know, learning and being able to, uh, being able to learn, being able to, um, get a degree so I can be ready for the next, for my next jobs. Okay, and so going off that, can you describe a memorable experience while finding a job in the U.
S.? I, finding a job. So the Mexican restaurant I started working as a hostess was, everybody spoke Spanish there. So I only needed to speak English with my, with the customers. But then I started working for, um, bush gardens as a extra job on weekends. And then I worked at this place selling knives, going through, you know, calling people and telling them, but I think I felt more comfortable.
I mean, I knew the basics around, you know, with language, but the big challenge was just being able to learn. But I mean, I was, I’m a, I’m an immigrant. So it was more like, I needed money. So when you have the necessity of, okay, I need the money, you need to work. Um, one of my, the reason I needed to work was because my parents challenged me if I needed, um, if I wanted to go back home, if I wanted to go to Peru when I was 18, I was like, I needed to find my own money.
So my dad was like, if you ever want to go to Peru, you need to find your own money so I had to work and then also I wanted to call my grandparents. So, uh, we used to have, I didn’t have a cell phone, so we used to have this, um, phone cards that you have to buy for 20 and you can talk to them like for like an hour.
Uh, it was like every minute will cost you money. So that was my, that was the main reason that I had to work so I can get money for my to buy, uh, phone cards and I can call my grandparents and to save money so I can, my idea was, okay, when I turn 18, I’m going to go home. I’m going to go to Peru. I’ll be 18.
My parents don’t have to tell me anything else and I can go back to my parent, to my grandparents because I really miss them and they weren’t able to come in to visit because they didn’t have a visa for the States. Okay. And so, Going off of that, like you said that when you first got here, you didn’t have any friends.
You didn’t really know anybody because, you know, it’s coming into a new community. Do you think, did your parents already have that community that, that, that friend, those friends, those family friends? Uh, we only have one family friend. So my dad’s job was working night shift. So my dad will go to work from, sorry, from 5 p.
m. to 1 a. m. Every night, except weekends, and my mom will work from 9 in the morning until 4, 4 or 5 p. m. So, they were always working, growing up, like, um, and my mom will work weekends, and my dad too, so it was like, either we, they work, and I was able to help them with my younger siblings. So I was more like helping them to take care of my younger siblings.
Um, so I don’t think we, I think they spent so much time working that they didn’t really have a life outside of work. It was either, okay, work or home and then, you know, be with the kids. My dad was really involved in my school and even my sibling school because my dad knew English, more English at that time than me.
Um, so he was able to go to school with me and ask my teachers and like conference, uh, days, he will always go. So my dad was very involved with, you know, with our school work. And they didn’t really have time to have friends. I, we only have one family friend and they were able to like, Kind of help us, but they were in the same situation because their kids didn’t know any English.
So it was like helping each other Okay Let me help you You know do that so we can find friends but it was just more like but to your question it was more like we’re on your you’re on your own because um when I was I Remember there was not a lot of Hispanics Like, the Latino community was not as big as it is right now.
You know, not only in Virginia, but in the whole country it is much bigger. Um, I remember going to this Mexican, it wasn’t a Mexican, it was a Mexican restaurant, but it was a Mexican store. It was like all Latino store. That was the only one around, like, now there is so many restaurants, there are so many Mexican restaurants, there are so many.
Peruvian restaurants around, not only one. So it was so hard to find things before when I was, I came then now. And like I know you said obviously you guys didn’t really have any Family, friends, well, friends, community like that, but do you happen to remember any specific instances where you felt welcome or very much hostility, maybe from school or the community or that one family friend, or once you started being friends with the people in high school?
Yeah. Um, I think I remember coming, I remember my first day of school. I went, my dad took me to school. I didn’t know anything. anything, any word, not even a hello. Well, my mom taught me how to say hello in English, but I didn’t know anything. And then I met this lady, she wasn’t, she was a senior, and I was a freshman.
And she, I still, have communication with her. And she, she was Puerto Rican and she was the one that showed me around the school. You know, like, uh, every school they will grab you. I don’t know if it’s the same way now, but I remember it like somebody who was, uh, who knew the language, English and Spanish, will go around and take you like hand to hand.
Like, hey, let me show you here. Let me know, show you where your classes are. Let me show you how the school is. And she was so welcome. Like, I remember going through. Classes and she will follow up with me and like, hey, you know, how is the school and very nice I still remember I think she was one of the first person I met and like I said We still talk once in a while, but she was very helpful for me And I met, you know, my Cubans friends I had so many Cuban friends and then they were here for the same reason getting their parents wanted a better opportunity and And You know, meeting them, going, you know, to their house, kind of getting more like, they were very helpful.
I think that once you build a community, you like, that friendship helps a lot. You know, I still have some of my friends from high school that I still talk to, and we’re very close. Um, but also, um, I think, um, I think a lot of American students were very welcome with me. They knew I didn’t know English, so they, we were known like the no speaking students.
That was the, the label they have for us, but we didn’t really care, but they were very nice to us. Like, they really understood, like, they knew we didn’t know any English, and they will figure out a way to communicate with us. Um, and like, That’s back in 2005. Phones were not a big thing. Um, so I didn’t have a phone so it’s not like we had cell phones around the high school.
It was only a few students I remember. So we didn’t really have that like communication like people have now. And I remember teachers were very helpful like because they knew we didn’t know any English and they were able to, they adjusted so I think I have really, I never had any incident with any teacher back then, and even my friends from my ESL class, they, I think they were not, I think people were, I think the Americans had adjusted very well, and you know.
Through my years, yes, I have some challenges because of my accent, because of being, not being from here. But I think 80 percent of the people I have met, they have always been welcome. But, you know, every new country comes with new challenges and you face new, uh, things that you don’t expect. But I think it’s just getting, getting more, trying to adjust because you have to adjust to this country.
It is a new culture. I, my dad always say, you cannot expect this country to adjust to you. You gotta adjust to this. Of course. This place. Um, and I think that’s what we have always had in my mind, adjusting to what the culture is here. Yes, I still have my culture. I still have a strong traditions with my family, uh, what we used to do in Peru.
But I think I also have to understand this is a new, you know, like I have lived more than my half of my life here. So I had to learn things. And now, do I still face a lot of challenges? Yes. I think being, being a person of, like a brown color person, Can be a challenge, you know, people might see you different.
I still challenge, even though I have a good career, I have a good place. I have, you know, I feel like I have, my life is successful. People will see me and not see me, see me different because I am Brown. Um, I have faces, uh, like coming to Harrisonburg has been a little bit, you know, The area I live is a lot of people, uh, not like my color.
So they will remember going to my first time moving here. I went to a gas station and they were, they look at me like I was a that I didn’t belong there. Like I was, they were like, you don’t belong here. Like they looked, they gave me and they felt very uncomfortable. And this just happened after being in the States for so many years, it felt like, okay, we still, you know, so there are places that will, I will feel the same, you know, that way.
But there are places that I think Newport News was my home because everybody was so welcome. And I think the people understood and learned the culture. Um, but yeah, I still face things. I like, I don’t belong here. But you know, sometimes you just have to go and ignore those people because you can’t let that bother you.
And that’s something I still face and I’m thinking about if I have kids, will my kids face the same thing? Of course, that’s completely understandable. I mean, even me being at a, At a university student, being a person of color, you know, it’s still, you still get stares walking into a room and it’s kind of off putting sometimes because it’s like, okay, well, you know, well, I mean, at least I was born here.
So it’s, you know, still off putting. I can’t imagine how that could make you feel or coming to Harrisburg and how Getting those stairs makes one feel out of place when you’ve been here majority of your life. You’re in basically already integrated into this, into Virginia, into this, into the United States.
So with that, like, obviously you mentioned a lot of your relationships with your, with your co ethnics and, um, And how you were able to develop with the people who, the Americans from the school as well. So do you have any like, specific stories that highlight the interactions between you and your other, and other immigrants you met during high school or throughout your whole life?
Mmm, what do you mean? Like, um, stories as far as their stories and my stories? It’s more like something that highlights like, oh, like, you know, we’re both immigrants. We both, Um, understand the struggles. Yeah, I think it was like the language was a big thing. I think, um, I remember meeting my friend. I remember in high school, you know, like after my, you know, we’ll get home and then we’ll meet.
And then we wanted to eat. And there, there was a Wendy’s really like down the street. And we walked to the Wendy’s and then we get there and we’re thinking like, okay, we have We’ve been to our ESL classes, like, you know, we’d learned and we couldn’t even order a meal. We couldn’t even, like, we didn’t even know how to say mayonnaise in English, I remember.
And so that was a big challenge. Like, I remember that day, like, I still remember that day. Um, and I, but also it kind of help us be more aware and be more like, okay, let’s learn more. Like we, we cannot go to a place. And that was another thing. We didn’t even go out because we didn’t know where to go and not how to communicate.
Keep in mind, we didn’t have cell phones back then. I didn’t have a cell phone until I graduated from high school. Um, so when thinking about, uh, Not only the culture, but understanding the people like little things, you know, like school bus, that’s something we didn’t have in Peru. And it’s something they don’t have in, um, in Cuba.
There’s something that they don’t do that in like, um, in Mexico because my friends and even Bosnia, my people from my friends from Bosnia. And so that was a new thing for us. Uh, the, the dress code, like, uh, back in Peru, even in other countries, you have to be wear uniform at any school, at any public or private school.
Here you didn’t have to. So that’s a big change. Um, what else? Knowing that we’re immigrants like in working, you know, like we have to work hard. Because we wanted to make money. We wanted to have extra money. We wanted to help our parents, you know. Because my idea was, okay, if I work, my parents don’t have to buy me clothes, or they don’t have to buy me anything for school.
And that made me want to work and save my money. And I think that happened around my, all my friends. Cause if their parents were the same in the same boat, they were, um, working long hours. They were not involved with them because they had to like, Hey, we’re here to work. They’re here to make money because you start from zero when you come to the States.
So we knew, We were not like those kids in school, like they can get outfits every week. I remember like, and you can see that when you will go to the ESL class classroom, everybody will dress up different, like, hey, because you’re there just, you’re surviving what you have. It’s not like now, people go to school and they’re like all about the outfits, dress, you know, what’s my outfit of the day?
What am I going to wear tomorrow? I don’t know. Well, my shoes, like the brand shoes, everything, you know, but like, if you, I remember going back, back then, like everybody was like, you know, the, the Jordans, like the Nike and everything. But now, like, if you will go to that classroom, we were dressed different because we, we were dressed just to go to school, not to impress anyone, you know?
So. I think we have faced that like Going through other classes because we were never in the same class. We were only Into the classroom once uh, uh, once a day Uh one period of the day of the day but then Every everybody will go to different classes and then Understanding telling stories about oh my god, like we didn’t I didn’t learn anything.
I didn’t understand the teacher Like all the stories, you know during lunch time You So I think that’s something we have learned like We’re immigrants, you know, I didn’t know the day we had to adjust to this country We had to just we had to leave our friends some of our family So it was a big adjustment, but back to your question.
I think it was more like I think just facing the challenges that made us feel like, okay, we’re in this together. Yeah, of course, like you created your own little sense of community with fellow immigrants because of the reason that you guys are immigrants, you know, which is, I think it’s very, it’s very beautiful.
So I know you mentioned, um, You became a U. S. citizen, you got naturalized, correct? Yes, I did that a couple years ago. And what does having a U. S. citizenship mean to you personally? Well, um, when you’re a U. S. resident, so when I came to the States, I was automatically a U. S. resident because my dad, my parents had U.
S. residency. Um, being, you know. It’s a, it’s a process. I came to the States, went to school, I learned more about the culture, I learned more about the, uh, um, rules, I learned more about the, um, more, more, more about the language. So I think that made me understand more, like, okay, I’m part of this, this is my community, this is, this is my new home, right?
Um, Being a U. S. resident, you could not, you couldn’t vote. So for me, being a U. S. citizen was a big deal because this is my first home. And remember, I came here before 18, so I was never able to vote back in Peru. Um, I do visit my country, uh, Peru multiple, like at least once a year. I still have a strong, my, my grandma, unfortunately my grandpa, my grandpa passed away a couple years ago.
But I still visit my grandma and I think having a citizenship was more like, it’s my right now. I can, I have the right to vote. I have, you know, like being able to, to have a, being able to have a voice in this country. And then also having a citizenship, it opens the door for other countries too. That is true.
That is very true. It’s also like you give, you have a voice for the people who don’t have a voice, you know, but at one point that was you, then you’re now being that voice for other people who unfortunately cannot have a voice. So that’s very, yeah. Very comforting and knowing that that’s a community immigrant community that has each other’s backs.
Yeah So with that, do you feel a sense of belonging in the United States now? I do I do I do feel Like I say, you know, they’re having recently happened when I moved to Harrison where it has been, you know, like being feeling like I didn’t belong here But I think I mean, I’ve been here more than 20 years So now it’s like, this is my home.
This is, I have a career here. You know, I work for a company for, I’ve been working for the same company for 15 years now. So, I got. It is, it is my home. Yes, I call Peru home too. But, um, I learned so much about this country. I learned so much. I have such, so many good friends. Um, planning to have my life here.
I’m not planning to move back to Peru. And so I do, I think I belong here now. I think I’m a, not just an American, not just a, uh, I’m not just like, oh, I’m from Peru, but I am from the States. This is home for me now. That’s great. That’s, that’s amazing to hear. So, and I know you mentioned you try and go to Peru at least every year, but besides that, how else do you think you maintain your connection to your home country?
Like, do you have any habits or rituals that you keep, that keep you connected to Peru? Yeah, so what I we are big with Christmas Eve, so we celebrate Christmas Eve in Peru We have so we you know during we don’t we do celebrate Christmas But we celebrate Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Christmas Day is more like relax um Then any any holiday that we have in Peru, you know, we try to keep it alive in the States we have um During, when it’s Independence Day in Peru, my family and I, we just celebrate.
We, I try to stay in touch with the news in Peru, same as here. So I understand because my grandma lives in Peru, so I have to be able to be aware of what’s going on, what’s changing, any political issues and how society is doing in Peru. So, uh, I still very connected with Peru. I still follow it, you know.
We eat Peruvian food, we try to cook, uh, any Peruvian food like we can. We have the tradition of eating this fruit cake every December. So this, this month is a big one for us. It’s called panettone and that’s the one that we have, you know, like the tradition is to eat it with hot chocolate and we still do that.
Um, Yeah, I feel like being there every year helps me stay active, be more aware. I still have cousins, friends, a lot of good friends and I have family there. So I still stay connected with through. Of course, and just to wrap it up, this is our last question. What are your thoughts on dual citizenship? Now that, you know, you are a American citizen, how does holding or considering dual citizenship impact your sense of identity?
So, I think I, I think it can be good to have adult citizenship. I personally don’t think I will get adult citizenship. The reason is because I live here. I will never move to Peru. Um, I will visit Peru, but I will never, like, I don’t think I will live in Peru. Um, this is, you know, this is all I know.
Anything as far as the law or any rules. I know he, I know everything around here more than I know in Peru. So, um, one thing of the question, one question they ask you when you do your citizenship, they tell you, are you willing to, you know, like give up your Peruvian citizenship because I was born there, right?
But, and that’s something I say, yeah, because this is my home now. Um, So I know some people like to keep it dual because it helps them stay part of their country, but I think this is home. This is where my, this is where I’m going to spend the rest of my life in this country. And then this is where my parents, you know, decided, this is the country they decided to migrate.
And this is where we, my dad, my mom, started a new life. They had a new opportunity for us, that opportunity opened the doors for my siblings, my other family and, and they help us to have a better life. So I think I’m more like grateful than this country. Was a, I was able to have a citizen here and now I, I mean, I’m open, but I don’t think I personally will do the dual citizenship.
Yeah, definitely. It’s probably bittersweet. Um, giving up your citizenship to Peru and, uh, being naturalized here. But I, you know, like you said, this is home. And even though, you know, you spent mature, like 15 of your years of your life, you basically grew up in Peru. You are now proud to call. America home, which is very, very nice and very sweet.
Very nice to know that you have integrated amazingly to the United States. So with that, I thank you so much for your time, your cooperation and for being able to share your story with me. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I know you have mentioned that this is for a class. That you, um, you guys talk about immigration and then the stories and I really, I’m glad that you were able to, I was, I am glad you interviewed me because I was able to share my, my story, but also just talking about it made me realize like it’s been a, it’s been a process and it’s been a, um, it’s been a lot of ups and downs, but I think those challenges that I faced at the beginning helped me.
Be the person I am now so thank you for the time and thank you for learning trying to learn more about immigration and how Everybody goes through but I’m pretty sure it’s not an easy It’s not an easy journey. The journey was it was a journey for sure you know, we talked about little things about You know how my how I started here, but I’m I think, I uh, I hope you can understand.
You mentioned, you know, too, that you have, you were born here, so this is a different, it’s way different, but understand that, You know, your, I’m pretty sure your grandparents or your parents came to the States in a different way, too. And it helps a lot to be able, for your age, to understand what the other generation went through.
Of course, of course. And again, I thank you so much, and thank you for your participation. Thank you.
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