Ambrosia Garcia, who grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, moved to the U.S. in 1999, and worked and lived in Buffalo, New York. She worked in the fields picking strawberries and cucumbers.
She said because it was clear that she looked Hispanic, border patrol agents went to her home asking for papers. With no papers to show the agent, she attended her first deportation hearing, she said. She planned on leaving the country voluntarily, until she found out she was pregnant.
She decided to not go to her second hearing, and in 2005, was pulled over while driving home from work, and was detained for driving without a license.
In 2012, she was found by border patrol at her home again, but this time she decided to leave on her own, with her children.
At first, her children believed they were in Mexico on vacation.
“It’s sad when things happen, and little by little they realized that no, we weren’t on vacation, they were going to stay here,” Garcia said.
She added that although her heart was hurting, she wanted to be strong for them and told them she couldn’t return to the U.S.
Garcia said she put her kids through school where they faced massive bullying and often came home with bruises all over their bodies.
Eventually, she sent them back into the U.S.
“They were affected a lot psychologically, and me, as a mother, looked and looked for different ways to get them back. And thanks to God, they are over there now. I can’t be with them, because I can’t cross, and that’s the sad reality.”
She adds that anyone who leaves the United States and wants to take their kids with them should really consider the consequences that decision could have on their children.
“The American Dream, for me, doesn’t exist anymore. For me, the American dream doesn’t exist. But I also can’t tell you not to go,” Garcia said. “Because each person has their own necessities, and I think that if a family doesn’t have food, or somewhere to live, then us, as parents, are making sure that our kids have a roof over their heads, clothes, and an education.”
