Spring Break
The Battle Of One Illegal American
Gary Parkosewich
Issue date: 10/10/06 Section: News
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She wakes up at the crack of dawn, works between 40 to 45 hours a week and goes to community college, where she hopes to one day become a nurse. She works for everything she owns, supports herself fully and tries to never take a day off.
The only thing un-American about Carolina, whose real name is omitted from this article for privacy, is that she's technically not American. She's one out of an estimated 11.5 to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, according to a report released by the Pew Hispanic Center in March 2006.
She does not own the basic necessities that many Americans have taken for granted, including medical insurance, a driver's license, a social security number, bank accounts or credit cards. Carolina has to pay for everything in cash, including her rent and college education.
"I don't think that people should see me as a bad person because I'm an immigrant or someone who's not capable of going further in their lives," Carolina said. "I think that I am very capable because of the things I've gone through and I have the motivation, I have the strength, I can do anything but I can't because [of my status]."
Carolina came to the U.S. with her father in February 1999 from Guanajuato, Mexico when she was 12 years old. She enrolled in school in Connecticut without knowing any English and slowly learned the language through a tutor who could not speak her native language of Spanish.
"She actually wants to better herself," said Katina Tsahalis, a 6th-semester undecided major and friend of Carolina's. "She speaks the [English] language fluently, even better than me sometimes. Most Americans don't have to go through anything like what she has to go through. She works so hard and then she hits a brick wall and she can't do anything about that because of paperwork."
Carolina rapidly worked her way up in the U.S., becoming both a successful student and outstanding athlete. Her apartment is decorated with certificates and medals from track meets. An accomplished distance runner, Carolina even qualified for the national high school track and field championships, running the mile in 5 minutes, 20 seconds.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Ciatisa
posted 10/10/06 @ 12:04 PM EST
It is sad to see so many people stuggling to get to the United States in hopes of making a better way for themselves and their families that they left behind; however there are many Americans that lack proper education, clothing, food, and the list could go on. (Continued…)
Pamela Parkosewich
posted 10/10/06 @ 2:40 PM EST
I hope that this can be sent to the U.S. Senators from CT and the U.S. Reps from CT. Carolina should be greatfully welcomed as a citizen of this country. (Continued…)
Gail
posted 10/10/06 @ 5:48 PM EST
While I understand that it is normal for a person to want to better themselves, I have a problem with anybody coming into this country illegally. My grandparents wanted to better themselves, but they came into this country legally. (Continued…)
kimbo
Kim O'Brien
posted 10/10/06 @ 7:22 PM EST
The employers and their government have no intention of halting immigration. What they and their government want is an exploitable group of workers who have little or no rights what so ever. (Continued…)
Karen
posted 10/10/06 @ 11:34 PM EST
As a finance major and a person that is always watching how the economy behaves, I can tell you that the Hispanic population in the U.S has a substantial buying power, estimated at about $531 billion which represents 1/3 of the physical debt by the U. (Continued…)
Gail
posted 10/11/06 @ 9:06 PM EST
Chris, let me set the record straight. I did read the entire article. If you think just because the illegals get no free medical just because they have no insurance, you are very much mistaken. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 10/12/06 @ 5:02 AM EST
nice story, but she's still here illegally.
Mamad
posted 10/18/06 @ 6:05 AM EST
Shame on her, working like an ass for an grateful country. If she can do that much why not at her home where she isn't stamped like slave ( Imigrant ), I better be in my banana home country than inhaling all the farts in that crowded cities of lazy inhabitants. (Continued…)
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