My name is Irma, and I am from Durango, Mexico. My husband and I came to the United States in 1999. Being here has its good things and its bad things. One of the good things is that we do have a better life. One of the bad things is that we are far away from our family, and, after so many years, I still miss Mexico and my family. I worked as a stylist for a few years, but now we own a cafeteria. I do feel welcome in my community, but unfortunately, there is some violence in the neighborhood, and I do not always feel safe. I am grateful for my health, for my family, for my work and for my clients who always come and support us. My goal is to continue with the business, and my dream would be to open another cafeteria. I would like to tell people who read my story that if you have a dream, you have to keep going and make it happen. You have to fight for what you want without giving up.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Irma y soy de Durango, México. Me vine a Estados Unidos en 1999 con mi esposo. Vivir aquí tiene sus cosas buenas y sus cosas malas. Una de las cosas buenas es que vivimos mejor y una cosa mala es que estamos lejos de nuestra familia y, a pesar de tantos años, aún extraño México y a mi familia. Trabajé como estilista por unos años, pero ahora somos dueños de una cafetería. Aunque me siento bienvenida en mi comunidad, el tema de la violencia es importante porque, desafortunadamente, sí hay violencia a mi alrededor. Estoy agradecida por mi salud, por mi familia, por mi trabajo y por mis clientes que siempre vienen y nos apoyan. Mi meta para el futuro es seguir con el negocio y mi sueño sería abrir otro local. Me gustaría decirle a la gente que lea mi historia que hay que luchar por los sueños y por lo que queramos construir, sin rendirnos.
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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