In this episode, host Kassandra Interviews Beatriz, her mom who immigrated here from Mexico.
Beatriz shares her journey to the U.S., including leaving her family and small-town home at 14 to pursue an education and crossing the border at 19 for what was meant to be a short visit, but turned into a permanent stay. She recalls her childhood in Mexico, her parents’ first Thanksgiving in America, and the difficult time when she was deported and separated from her firstborn for several months. Beatriz reflects on the hardships she faced, and the lessons learned along the way.
The conversation explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, reflecting on the bravery, struggles, and triumphs of those who leave home and immigrate to start anew.
[This podcast is a project by 12th-grade students in Mr. Smith’s English class at Mission Vista High School in Vista Unified School District.]