I am a first generation Mexican-American daughter to two wonderful parents who immigrated here from Jalisco, Mexico in hopes of obtaining a better future. My father first came to the United States at the age of 19 in 1994 with hopes of working hard to earn enough money to purchase a book he needed for school. My fathers intentions were never to stay here but instead to return to his home, purchase his book and resume his schooling. Life had other plans for him.

I am a proud daughter of an immigrant father. My father has worked his whole life starting from the young age of 9, when he saw the necessity for money and food in his home. At the age of 15 he lost his eyesight on one of his eyes & from there on he went against my grandparents will & decided to immigrate to the United States once he noticed that the money he worked for back home wasn’t enough to help out. The way he tells me his story, immigrating from one country to another for the better life promised not only for himself, but for his parents & siblings back home, was brutal.

Last Sunday, during an unseasonably warm afternoon, I experienced one of the most  viscerally impactful moments of my adult life. Never could I have imagined that the  renowned Art Institute of Chicago would become the backdrop for a parade of military  clad men, lined up in helmets, body armor, face masks and long rifles, advancing upon  unsuspecting people enjoying the beauty of a Sunday afternoon on the famed Michigan  Avenue.

I am mom of a 10 year old son. My status is undocumented and I have been in this country since 1999. Since the chaos has began, I have found myself saying "what if". What if I don't come back from work?

My Mom came from Cuba to this country in 1960 and here me, my brother and my sister were born in the USA she lived here longer than in her own country I’ve met thousands of Immigrant families that were not criminals and I refuse to have a mentality that immigrants are criminals. My Mom and Father worked hard for our freedom and put us thru school and life wasn’t easy but never broke the family bond ever and I believe God would never turn away any immigrant family. Praying for you Father Gary thank you for following God’s plan for all humanity love you and prayers for a safe journey please post your map of where you will be every day please.