Luz's story

“Estoy muy orgullosa de ti, mija” That is what my mother told me when she found out that in kindergarten, I had a proficient score in English. I arrived to the United States when I was two- years old. I grew up only speaking, watching Spanish TV, listening to Spanish music, and reading Spanish books, my world was Spanish but as soon as I entered Kindergarten I learned English and excelled. My mother was so proud and from then on I made sure to always make her proud.

When I was 11 and my brother was 7 my mother decided to leave for Mexico and visit her dad who was dying. My mother had a very close relationship with her father because when she was young she was diagnosed with leukemia and he was right there by her side every day in the hospital. I asked her why she couldn’t take us with her if she was going to come back. All she said was “ahorita no lo entenderias, cuando regrese te lo explico mija”.

Unfortunately, my mother was never able to return, and my brother and I were left to live with our father. My father was a drunkard who only cared about himself, and never worried about us. My little brother had a difficult time adjusting to living without my mother, and so did I, but I would never cry in front of him. I would always hold it in so he knew that I was brave and could take care of him and I. For years it was only my brother and I, I did everything to care for us. As time went on I knew my mother would never be able to come back. While on a phone call with my mother, I again asked my mother why I could not leave to get her and come back. She explained that anybody who was not born in the United States “Y no tienen papeles” could not go back in. That is when she told me that because I was not born in the United States I could not leave and come back. After that, all she told me was that I had to be a good student, take care of my brother, and become successful so that I could make a good life for my brother and me.

In January 2015, my brother and I went into CPS custody. We started living with our foster mom, Cindy. I did not feel sad that I was separated from my father, I was very thankful. I was happy that my brother had a warm bed, that he could shower, and that he would have warm food to eat. However, it was still very difficult for my brother because only a couple of years ago he was separated from his mother and now his father as well. Again, I summoned the strength to not cry and keep it all in because I wanted my brother to believe I was always here to protect them. It was difficult to adjust to Cindy’s home because for years we were living on our own and then to live in someone else's home and have rules to follow was difficult. As time went on my grades went up, I joined extracurricular activities such as choir, and was beginning to have a childhood. My brother was able to enjoy his childhood with no worries, he was doing well in school, he was playing soccer, and was happy. I could not have asked for anything else besides his happiness.

When I was 17, my Independent Living Program caseworker helped me navigate the process of getting my Lawful Permanent Resident Status. They hired the Child Services attorney to help me with my immigration process. First, she applied for my SJIS status, and after being granted SJIS she applied to get my Legal Permanent Residency.

After I graduated High School I went straight to Fresno State. It was difficult for me because I had to leave my brother but I knew I had to do this for us. Navigating college by myself was scary but I was lucky to have friends and mentors who helped me along the way and gave me advice on how to get through it. Even though I acted among my family and friends that I was strong, I knew I was not. I felt lonely because when things got difficult I wanted my brother with me, I wanted to hug and kiss my mother but that was not possible.

In October 2018, I started my fellowship with ELF. That is when I started to gain knowledge in Immigration, before coming to ELF I thought only attorneys could do immigration work. At first, I was a bit suspicious because how could someone who is not an attorney help with immigration, but I was

wrong, Department of Justice Accredited Representatives (DOJ) could also practice immigration. I learned that DOJs are the heart of immigration non-profit organizations. They take on the responsibility of educating themselves to provide accurate information about immigration law and policy. They also conduct countless immigration applications at low or no cost to community members who come seeking help.

One main reason that I was proud to work at ELF was because many of my coworkers were undocumented like myself, and I felt proud to be surrounded by undocumented immigrants who fought and conquered adversity. Now, I understood there were other people like me before I had not met anybody like me, and I felt hopeless, but now I was surrounded by my inspirations. Without their knowledge and experience, I would have been lost, so I will always be thankful to my coworkers for helping this young lost girl.

As time went by I was eager to learn more and more about immigration, because being an immigrant myself I wanted to stay educated so that I could educate my friends and family. After a couple of months, the Immigration Department Director asked me if I wanted to learn to become a caseworker, and I said yes. He gave me various trainings to take, he asked me to shadow case workers or representatives. Slowly I started to learn more and more until I was ready to take on immigration cases. The first group of cases I took on were DACA renewals, I was so proud of myself. Because every time I helped an immigrant I saw myself, I saw my mother and I wanted to make sure I could help them even if I could not help myself or my mother.

In 2020, when COVID hit I crashed. I could not function. I was failing school and was distracted at work, I was unable to focus. I was worried for my brother and my mother. Because of the stay-at-home order, I could not visit my brother. And because of my legal status, I could not go see my mother. During the pandemic, I fell into a deep depression because to me it felt like life was unfair and during this difficult time I wanted to be with my family but I could not because of a document, a simple birth certificate kept us apart.

Thankfully in June 2020, I was approved for my Legal Permanent residency, after 4 years I was now a permanent resident. After all the hurdles and bumps, my dream came true, I was finally a legal resident and I could go see my mother. Due to the pandemic, I had to wait until July 2021 to go visit my mother. My mother had been living in Tijuana, Baja California since she left back in 2011, she said she wanted to be as close as possible because she knew one day we would see each other again, and she was right. I was so thankful to the universe for granting me my wish to again be with my mother and brother.

After I went to visit my mother I felt like I was living again. She gave me the strength to get back on my feet and continue with my goals. Just seeing her reminded me of the reason she insisted I stay in the United States, it was to become successful, so I was going to do that. Returning back in the Fall of 2021 I got my grades up, I gave it my all. I even decided to apply for a Legal Studies Certificate. Proudly, I graduated in May of 2023 with my Bachelor’s in criminology with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Studies. I am an undocumented young girl who was lost and never thought she would be able to work or accomplish school, now I am a permanent resident, who graduated with her bachelor's and have a wonderful job as a DOJ Representative at a non-profit that cares about the community, I am super proud of myself.

In February of 2023 after hard work and dedication, I received my Department of Justice Accreditation. I was so proud of myself for continuing to learn more and provide the best immigration services. Now I am the Lead Department of Justice Accredited Representative and I feel proud that I can continue to help my community. I understand the pain our community goes through, and I know the desperation and need, so

I do my best to provide the best service. As a legal permanent resident, I know that now I have a bigger responsibility to do more for my community because I have the privilege to do so.

I am thankful for ELF because they gave me the opportunity to grow and help our people. At ELF we proudly serve our community and I am proud to be a DOJ who can help others' dreams come true just like mine did.