By Zazil Davis -Vazquez
IndyKids reporter Zazil Davis-Vazquez, 14, from New York City, interviewed her grandmother in Spanish and translated it into English. If your first language is something other than English, practice it and don’t forget it. You’ll be glad you did!
In Spanish:
La Señora Irma Sánchez, de 70 años, vive en California con su esposo y la familia de su hija. Nació en México y vino a los Estados Unidos en 1984. En 2008, después de 20 años, se hizo ciudadana.
¿Cuando cruzó la frontera?
La primera vez crucé legalmente en 1984 con una visa de turista. La segunda vez fue en 1988 con mi hija. Cancelaron mi visa en la frontera, pero ella cruzó con la suya. Decidí cruzarme ilegalmente. Un niño coyote me vio y dijo, “Yo te puedo cruzar.” Le pagué $50, y su mamá distrajó a los oficiales de la patrulla fronteriza, mientras me pasó por donde no nos podían ver.
¿Porque usted vino a los EE.UU.
En México mi esposo y yo perdimos nuestros trabajos. Éramos reporteros, pero el periódico se fue a la bancarrota. Mi amiga quien trabajaba en los Estados Unidos me dijo que yo podía irme con ella y ganar dinero para mi familia en México. Me fui a trabajar en hotel Catamarán en San Diego. Gane $3.75 por hora, menos que el salario mínimo, porque sabían que yo era ilegal. Después de cuatro años, empecé a limpiar casas. Ganaba $10 por hora.
¿Aparte de limpiar casas, tiene usted otro trabajo?
No. Trabajé en Subway por siete años, pero porque soy vieja, el gerente pensó que me podía caer, y la compañía tendría que pagar por mis lesiones. El gerente dijo, “No mas viejas!” y me corrió del trabajo. Yo he estado buscando otros trabajos, pero nadie me quiere contratar por la misma razón.
¿Tiene usted servicios médicos?
No, nunca he tenido servicios médicos. Cuando necesito atención medical, voy a una clínica y cobran poquito. Muchos de mis amigos y familia no tienen nada de servicios tampoco.
In English:
Irma Sanchez, 70, lives in Lemon Grove, California, with her husband and daughter’s family. She was born in Mexico and moved to the United States in 1984. In 2008, after 20 years, she became a U.S. citizen.
When did you cross the border?
I came legally for the first time in 1984 with a tourist’s visa. The second time was in 1988 when I brought my daughter. They cancelled my visa at the border, but she got across with hers. I decided to cross illegally. A little boy saw me and said, “I’ll cross you.” I paid him $50, and he made his mother distract the guards, while he passed me where they couldn’t see.
Why did you come to the United States?
In Mexico, my husband and I lost our jobs. We were reporters, but the newspaper went bankrupt. My friend who worked in the U.S. said I could go and earn money for my family in Mexico. I went to work for the Catamaran hotel in San Diego. I made $3.75 per hour, less than minimum wage because they knew I was illegal. After four years, I started to clean houses. I made $10 per hour.
Are you employed besides cleaning houses?
No. I worked at Subway for seven years, but because I am older, the manager thought I might fall, and the company would have to pay for my injuries. The manager said, “No more old ladies!” and fired me. I have been looking for more jobs, but no one will hire me for the same reason.
Do you have healthcare?
No, I never had healthcare. When I need medical help, I go to a clinic, and they charge a little bit. Many of my friends and family don’t have any healthcare either.
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