My name is Rafael. My family and I immigrated to the United States from Mexico when I was 12 years old. One of my aunts who had been living in the U.S. for many years applied for us to receive our permanent residency. My parents made the decision to move our family to the U.S. after our application had been granted. They wanted us to move to be with our family in the U.S., to learn English, and to have better opportunities. We eventually became U.S. citizens.
When we arrived in Ohio, it felt like a big family reunion. We were lucky to have our family. We knew where to get work and where to go to school. We began working as farmworkers picking cucumbers, pumpkins, tomatoes, apples, and strawberries.
When we first arrived, there were a lot of Hispanic families in Ohio. They were always very generous and welcoming.
I began working in restaurants when I was 17. I remember that every Sunday the restaurant would be filled with farmworkers. I have worked for the same restaurant for over 27 years. I am thankful for the clients who supported me at the same restaurant for so many years, for my bosses, and for the community.
En Español:
Mi nombre es Rafael. Mi familia y yo inmigramos de México a los Estados Unidos cuando tenía 12 años. Una de mis tías que llevaba viviendo en los EE.UU. por varios años solicitó para que nosotros recibiéramos nuestra residencia permanente. Mis padres decidieron mudarnos a los EE.UU. cuando nuestra solicitud fue aprobada. Ellos quisieron mudarse para estar con nuestra familia en los EE.UU., para aprender inglés, y tener mejores oportunidades. Eventualmente nos convertimos en ciudadanos de EE.UU.
Cuando llegamos a Ohio, se sintió como una reunión familiar. Fuimos muy afortunados de poder tener nuestra familia. Supimos dónde conseguir trabajo y adónde ir a la escuela. Empezamos a trabajar como trabajadores de campo y piscábamos pepinos, calabaza, tomates, manzanas y fresas.
Cuando primero llegamos, habían muchas familias hispanas en Ohio. Siempre eran muy generosas y acogedoras.
Empecé a trabajar en restaurantes a los 17. Me acuerdo que todos los domingos el restaurante estaba lleno de trabajadores de campo. Trabajé en el mismo restaurante por 27 años. Estoy agradecido por mis clientes que me han apoyado en el mismo restaurante por tantos años, a mis jefes, y por la comunidad.
Essential workers, including farmworkers, provide life sustaining work through their labor. Protecting essential workers, and treating them with dignity and respect, is critical.
Workers in the food supply chain are among the 5 million undocumented essential workers in the United States who have always done essential work, yet continue to be denied basic rights and protections.
As we celebrate their contributions to our community, we must also take action. We need protections for all essential workers. Send a letter to your Members of Congress asking them to provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers, Dreamers and TPS-holders.
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