A Forgotten Past, Fearful Future

Rosa represents perhaps millions of Mexican and Latin American immigrants who came to the United States as children and do not remember much, if anything, of the country they were born in.

By Andrea Zekus
The L.A. Pilot

A young girl celebrates Flag Day and her patriotism with similar enthusiasm as many Huntington Park residents. Photo: AOL.journal.ByTheWay
A passport and identification card such as these would allow Rosa to live in the U.S. at least temporarily. Photo: Dirk van Laren

Rosa’s family brought her to the States from Mexico when she was only one-and-a-half. Rosa was somehow left out of the procedure for applying for citizenship because of a glitch in paperwork. She remains here illegally even though the rest of her family legally lives in California.

She attended elementary school through high school in Huntington Park, Calif., and only remembers life in the United States. There are potentially thousands more young people in Huntington Park who have lived most of their lives on this side of the border because their parents brought them here when they were young.

Looking To the Future
Carla, Rosa’s employer at the insurance company she works for, is most concerned about what Rosa’s life will be like after she has completed her education, because she won’t be able to obtain a good job even with her degree. “They [immigrants] are very willing to work. But Rosa’s going to have a degree, so then what? What kind of job can she get if she’s illegal?” Carla asked rhetorically.

Because she lacks legal residency, it will not be easy for Rosa to get a high-paying job at which she could use her education. It also affects her ability to get a driver’s license, obtain a loan or apply for credit.

For now, Rosa will continue working toward her degree, uncertain of where it will get her. She will live in Huntington Park illegally until she decides to apply for citizenship, marry a citizen or is given amnesty by the government.

Rosa said she will continue to work in the small insurance office on Pacific Boulevard, without insurance of her own.