“I am standing here as an immigrant”

Immigrating to the United States from Mexico at just the age of three, he had no malicious intentions. It was for survival; the difference between life and death. 

Santi, an undocumented immigrant in the United States, was hidden in a van when he crossed the border. His sister was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Having no other health care options, Santi’s family had no choice but to immigrate to the United States, where a better medical infrastructure was offered. 

When Santi’s sister was first diagnosed, his family was told she would not live past the age of five. However, Santi’s sister lived until the age of 13, when she passed away in 2009. 

“My story surrounds the life of my sister and the well-being of my sister, and how we as a family took care of my sister,” Santi said. 

On May 4, Eden Area Interfaith Council held “Meet Your Immigrant Neighbor,” an event held at a local Bay Area church, to spread awareness about knowing your rights and creating safe spaces. 

Five speakers presented, bringing their experience with immigration, their different views and information about what people can do to help and protect others. 

“Of course today, while we recognize the systemic fields of the migration system, we also want to lift up the individual faces, voices, and dreams, regardless of their official migratory status: documented, or undocumented,” Reverend Dr. Marvin Wiser said. 

Wiser earned his Ph.D in Biblical Studies and has worked in many immigrant rights and social justice organizations. A speaker of the event, Wiser provided a different perspective on migration, immigrants, its root causes, and its change throughout history. 

A key speaker was Santi, who shared his story full of grit, persistence, and challenges. 

In high school, Santi played in his school orchestra as a violinist in his sophomore and junior years. He took as many advanced classes as he could, but his family became homeless due to a lack of resources. 

After graduating high school, Santi got a Social Security number and started working through President Obama’s Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals program. Through his work, Santi helped his family’s finances grow and become stable again. 

Now, Santi attends a Bay Area community college, hoping to transfer to UC Berkeley next year, studying biomedical engineering. With this education, he hopes to be a part of HIV research and contribute to defeating the virus. 

“Although life has its ups and downs, I know that I have enough resilience to overcome anything. And that is because I am standing here as an immigrant,” Santi said when closing his speech. “A proud DACA recipient, that is unafraid of whatever challenges might come against me.” 

The “Meet Your Immigrant Neighbor” event challenged ideas of immigration and promoted kindness and the need to protect others, despite status. It urged people to know your facts, know your rights, and to know your neighbors.