My name is Fatima, and I came to the United States in 2014, when I was approximately 26 years old. I work in the agricultural industry in California. I have now been working for about seven years harvesting different vegetables, such as lettuce, celery, broccoli, spinach and many more crops. Although I have had different jobs, I like the agricultural fields more because it is really satisfying for me to know that, thanks to my work, many families have fruits and vegetables in their homes.
The reason I came to this country was because it is a place that offers many opportunities. In that sense, I believe that my expectations have been met, because the United States offers us opportunities that we do not have in our country. We can accomplish goals, our dreams, and above all, we can offer our children a better, brighter future.
Overall, I do feel welcome in my community. Although I feel that my community is very welcoming and makes us feel comfortable where we work and live, I would like them to be a little more united, to treat people more humanely and to be supportive of other people.
I feel grateful for my life, for my day-to-day life in this country, and for my family. I am also grateful to have the opportunity to work and to offer my daughters a better future, because they are the most important thing in my life. My dream is to be able to see my daughters grow up to become good people who work and help the community, and above all, my dream is to see them accomplish their goals, graduate and become professionals. I know that sometimes this can be a difficult place, but I believe seeing them succeed is not an impossible dream. We just need to fight for it.
I would like for those who see my portrait and read my story to know that it is never too late to make our dreams come true, and that we always have to work hard and keep moving forward in life.
En Español:
Me llamo Fatima y llegué a Estados Unidos en 2014, cuando tenía aproximadamente 26 años. Actualmente, me dedico a la industria agrícola aquí en el estado de California. Tengo ya cerca de siete años trabajando en la cosecha de diferentes vegetales, como lechuga, apio, brócoli, espinacas y muchos más. Aunque he tenido diferentes trabajos, me ha gustado más el campo agrícola porque me satisface saber que mi labor brinda la oportunidad para que muchas familias tengan frutas y verduras en su hogar.
El motivo por el cual vine a este país fue porque sé que es un lugar que ofrece muchas oportunidades. En ese sentido, creo que sí se han cumplido mis expectativas, porque Estados Unidos nos ofrece oportunidades que en nuestro país no tenemos. Podemos cumplir metas, sueños, y sobre todo, podemos ofrecerle un mejor futuro a nuestros hijos.
En general, sí me siento bienvenida en mi comunidad. Aunque siento que todas las personas son muy acogedoras y nos hacen sentir confortables en las áreas de trabajo y en todos los lugares, me gustaría que fueran un poco más unidos, más humanitarios y solidarios con las demás personas.
En primer lugar, me siento agradecida por la vida, por el día a día en este país, y por tener una familia. También agradezco tener la oportunidad de poder trabajar para ofrecerles un mejor futuro a mis hijas, que son lo más importante en mi vida. Mi sueño es poder ver crecer a mis hijas, poderlas ver realizadas como personas de bien, personas que ayuden a la comunidad y, sobre todo, ver que puedan cumplir sus sueños de ser profesionistas. Sé que a veces este puede ser un lugar difícil, pero no es un sueño que no se pueda alcanzar siempre y cuando luchemos por él.
Lo que me gustaría compartir con quienes vean mi retrato o lean mi historia es que nunca es tarde para poder realizar nuestros sueños, y que siempre hay que echarle muchas ganas a la vida.
There are migrant women who move across international borders, state and county lines to work along the food supply chain and provide for their families. Some of these migrant women are among the 2.1 million immigrant community members who work in jobs growing, harvesting, processing, and selling food in the US, serving an essential role.
Despite the fact that they were named "essential workers" by government officials of all political backgrounds, companies and consumers during the global pandemic, many of these community members are denied basic rights and face unimaginable challenges. They are also often invisible to the people and the communities where they work and live.
Add your voice to the growing list of people calling on Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who worked in essential sectors during the pandemic. Call on Congress to support the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act.
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