by Estefani Alarcon
I'm an immigrant. Born in a small town outside of Santa Ana, El Salvador and raised in this country nearly my entire life. At six years old, I was bilingual and well-spoken so I frequently got the "you don't have an accent" card. As if an accent would give me away. I fooled you all. For years I was afraid of my own identification. I'm a privileged immigrant, as I'm documented, but I know the challenges we face and damn do I know the fear. My dad started his own business and that has kept a roof over our head and provided my family with more than the necessary but we are not criminals and never have we taken anyone's job. We work so hard. We pay to be able to be authorized to work. Imagine that. Paying the government to work. Today, and every day, I am in solidarity with everyone who came to this country for an opportunity. We pay taxes, contribute to the economy, feed your children, take care of your kids, cut your grass, build your homes, and more for half the wage you would do it for.
Estefani Alarcon is a double-major in film, media & social justice and journalism at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo submitted by Estefani Alarcon).