Author Archives: Dania Khan

The Struggle (Mexico)

From the sweet smell fruit orchards; to the bitter gas and fog that filled up San Francisco. I had no option in coming here. I had no initial reaction, I didn’t know what to think. I had a lot of fun in Mexico. I liked school, I participated in dances at festivals, which I enjoyed a lot. I really liked ... Read More »

A Great Journey (El Salvador)

“Corre! La migra!” the coyote yelled, “Run! It’s immigration!” To this day, I’m traumatized by the word “run.” Who wouldn’t be? It’s all I did while crossing the border and it was the only thing that kept me from being sent back. I will never forget the long cold nights where we spent hours running. It was as if we ... Read More »

Making It Out

Editor’s note: Slavery is an integral part of the American story and those who were forced to come to the US in chains, are no less immigrants than any other group. Not only was their freedom taken, but in many cases, their personal family history was lost. On this web site of immigration stories, we pick up their descendants’ story ... Read More »

Immigration Story of Ofa Langi (Tonga)

My whole life changed once I turned 12 years old. I learned I was adopted by my aunt, and later I was reunited with my real parents and siblings. Together we moved to America. I was living in a big house with a cat, and life was slow. Living with my aunt was very fun but there are lots of ... Read More »

Endless Reminisce (Kenya)

I never knew God’s plan for me would’ve been this amazing until now that I look back and see all that I have accomplished through Him. After three long months of boarding school, my seven siblings and I were surprised with the news from my dad that we were going to go visit our “[cucu] sho-sho”–grandma. Our grandma lived in ... Read More »

An Immigrant’s Story: Irma Nevarez (Mexico)

I was only 13 when I made a life-changing choice. All I was thinking about was all the pressure of my family depending on me. I was afraid. I was only a kid, after all; I felt like a porcupine at a balloon party. But all I knew was I needed to succeed and help the people I left behind ... Read More »

Other Life (Mexico)

Mexico 1994. I was 18 years old when, for the first time in my life, I had problems with drug addiction. I didn’t have a job, I didn’t go to school, and I lived from what my parents had, but it was not enough to have a good life.  We were very poor.  I remember that my father worked hard ... Read More »

Journey In The 80’s (Mexico)

Rodolfo Vazquez was a kid, in a family of three boys and two girls.  He grew up in Sonora, Mexico in the city of Obregon. At the age of 15, he started to work with his dad, helping him building houses near his house.  That’s how Rodolfo started to get experience in building structures. At the age of 19, he ... Read More »

An America Lover’s Story (China)

My father Yun Nie was Chinese; I used “was” because he just got his green card in the last month. Now he has his green card, so he is a part of United States. He was born in China in March 27, 1973. Now he is 45 years old and going to turn 46 this month. Why does he love ... Read More »

The Sad Part of Coming to America (El Salvador)

A man named Carlos Zepeda, from the small country of El Salvador in Central America, one day decided to come to the United States with his girlfriend; he moved to the United States for better opportunities and a better life. He learned English the hard way, and he also worked very hard. In his country, he had people who did ... Read More »