My name is Luis Fernando, but most know me as Ferny. In 1980, I immigrated to the United States with my wife to work and build a better future for ourselves. When we arrived in the United States, I began working in a slaughterhouse, and I later worked in construction for 22 years. During this time, I was very fortunate to have good bosses that helped me especially when I did not speak English. Three years ago, I decided to open my own business on a food truck, selling tacos.
The community in Colorado was welcoming, and we have been very comfortable with everything we have wanted. I have worked very hard so my family wouldn’t need anything, and above all else, I have been able to have and provide for my children here. I wish the community understood that many people who come to the United States are faced with racism, and the community should do everything possible to prevent this.
I am grateful for my life and for my two children. I am grateful to the United States for all of the doors it has opened and the opportunities I have had. In the future, I wish to open a second food truck.
A piece of advice I have for recent immigrants coming to the U.S. is to not become focused on only one thing. Set your goals, and strive to achieve them. In the United States, the doors are open for everyone, and the opportunities can be unlocked by you.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Luis Fernando, pero la mayoría me llaman Ferny. En el 1980 inmigré a los Estados Unidos con mi esposa para trabajar y hacernos un mejor futuro. Cuando llegamos a los Estados Unidos, empecé trabajando en un matadero y luego trabajé en la construcción por 22 años. Durante ese tiempo estuve muy afortunado de tener buenos patrones que me dieron ayuda especialmente cuando no hablaba inglés. Hace tres años, pude abrir mi propio negocio con un camión de comida, vendiendo tacos.
La comunidad en Colorado nos recibió muy bien y hemos estado muy agusto con todo lo que hemos querido. He trabajado muy duro para mi familia para que no les falte nada y, sobre todo, he podido tener y proveer a mis hijos aquí. Quisiera que la comunidad entienda que muchos que vienen a los Estados Unidos se enfrentan con el racismo y la comunidad debe hacer todo lo posible para prevenir esto.
Estoy agradecido de la vida y por mis dos hijos. Estoy agradecido con los Estados Unidos por las puertas que se me han abierto y las oportunidades que he tenido. En el futuro, deseo abrir un segundo camión de comida.
Un consejo que tengo para los inmigrantes recién llegados a los EE.UU. es que no se enfoquen en una sola cosa. Busquen sus metas y logren lo que quieran hacer. En los Estados Unidos las puertas están abiertas para todos y las oportunidades las puede abrir uno mismo.
My name is Fernando, and I am from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. I decided to move to the United States because I wanted to help my parents. Also, in the area where I am from, many people go hungry. When I arrived in the U.S., I began working as a dishwasher, then I became a cook, and finally, I became a chef. I spent seven years working at the same restaurant, and after this, I was given the opportunity to become a tortillero. Finally, I was given the opportunity to open up my own food truck in Silt, Colorado, where I sell taquitos.
When you arrive in the United States, you are scared and you realize that you are arriving in a foreign territory. The American community needs to understand how difficult it is to decide to immigrate. I wish that community members would take the time to help us become a part of the community and that they would not make us feel more frightened than we already are.
I hope that we can all be united – that we recognize that we are all equal and to help each other in any way we can. There are times that we allow ourselves to be swayed by negative thoughts about others, but even if we are from different towns and nations, we are all equal.
In the future, I wish to have a second food truck and continue pushing forward toward achieving my dreams. I am grateful to God for granting me health and that I have not had any issues living here.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Fernando y soy de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Decidí mudarme a los Estados Unidos porque quería ayudar a mis padres. También, en el área de donde vengo, muchos sufren de hambre. Al llegar a los EE.UU., empecé a trabajar como lavaplatos, luego pase a ser cocinero, y al final, me convertí en un chef. Pasé siete años trabajando con el mismo restaurante, y luego de esto, se me dio la oportunidad de ser tortillero. Finalmente tuve la oportunidad de tener mi propio camión de comida y vender taquitos en Silt, Colorado.
Cuando uno llega a los Estados Unidos, llegas asustado y tienes que entender que estás llegando a un territorio ajeno. La comunidad Americana debe entender lo difícil que es decidir inmigrar. Deben tomarse el tiempo para ayudarnos a integrarnos a la comunidad, y no hacernos sentir más miedo de lo que ya tenemos.
Espero que todos podamos ser unidos – que reconozcamos que todos somos iguales y que nos ayudemos en todo tipo de forma. Hay veces que uno se deja llevar por la corriente con pensamientos negativos de otros, pero aunque seamos de diferentes pueblos y naciones, todos somos iguales.
Deseo en el futuro tener otro camión de comida y seguir adelante en cumplir mis sueños. Me siento agradecido de Dios que me da salud y que no he tenido ningún problema viviendo aquí.
There are migrant workers 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 workers 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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