Kimberly, a U.S.-born college student, carries with her a story of resilience, fear, and unshakable family bonds — all shaped by her upbringing as the daughter of undocumented immigrants from Mexico.
Her parents' early lives were marked by poverty. Her father, who never attended high school, lived in what Kimberly describes as a “tent-like” structure in rural Mexico. Her mother, also raised in poverty, shared his dream of building a better future. So when Kimberly's mother became pregnant with her first child, the couple made a bold decision: they crossed the border into the United States in search of opportunity, safety, and hope for their children.
That was 22 years ago. Today, Kimberly and her two sisters are American citizens, educated and thriving. Their parents, however, remain undocumented — living in the shadows, working tirelessly in low-wage jobs that are essential yet often invisible: house cleaning, childcare, and construction.
Though they’ve made a life in the U.S., the fear of deportation has never left them — or Kimberly. Since childhood, she’s lived with the anxiety that one day her parents might be taken from her.
Under former President Donald Trump’s administration, this fear became sharper and more urgent. The increase in immigration enforcement and mass deportations renewed Kimberly’s dread. “It’s like living in a nightmare,” she says. “We’re losing humanity — people don’t see undocumented immigrants as human anymore.”
She recalls how her family was always on alert. Even routine drives felt dangerous. As a child, she would scan for police cars, fearing her parents might be stopped and detained. “We always had to look ‘normal,’” she says, as if blending in could shield them.
Despite trying to maintain a sense of security, Kimberly noticed the strain on her parents. “They tried to look strong for us, but I could feel their fear,” she remembers.
The family often lived in communities with other Mexican immigrants for mutual support. Her parents worked long days and late nights. Though undocumented, they paid taxes and contributed to the economy — a point Kimberly stresses with pride.
When Kimberly and her sisters grew old enough to be home alone, her mother started taking on double shifts. Kimberly would take care of her younger sister, inventing games and comforting her when she asked, again and again, when their mom would be home. “I never had an answer,” Kimberly says.
The idea of applying for green cards was too risky. They heard horror stories of families being torn apart during the long and uncertain process, and they couldn’t risk it with three young daughters depending on them.
Today, Kimberly is studying chemistry in college and preparing to start her clinical training. Her biggest fear now is the possibility of a sudden raid — that one day, ICE will take her parents without warning. If that happens, she says she would consider moving to Mexico to be with them.
“There were times when my parents wanted to go back to Mexico. My sisters and I would cry, begging them not to,” she remembers. “But now, if I had to go with them, I would.”
She feels prepared for whatever comes next — thanks to the education and life experience she gained in the United States. “If we go back, I know how to work for what I need. I’ve built confidence, and I’m ready to take care of my parents just as they took care of me.”
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