The immigrant experience can be tough. Share your stories of struggle, success

Recent news events had Times columnist Hector Tobar reflecting about UCLA and the immigrant experience:

First there was the stunning public fall of Nancy Salas, another 22-year-old daughter of Salvadoran immigrants whose mother cleaned houses.

Hoping to hide from her parents the fact that she had dropped out of UCLA and wouldn't be graduating with her classmates, Salas ran away to Merced and told police she'd been kidnapped.

A few days later came word of the death in a car crash in Maine of two recent UCLA graduates who were themselves immigrants. Cinthya Felix and Tam Tran both overcame many obstacles to complete their educations. They were undocumented yet managed to win acceptance to prestigious Ivy League graduate schools.

On Monday I attended a campus memorial service for Felix and Tran, and heard of the many remarkable things they had done in their short lives: from skydiving to making documentary films and testifying before Congress.

Hearing their stories, I thought: It isn't easy to be a bright child in an immigrant family.

If you're lucky, you grow up listening to family stories of loss and separation. And when you reach adulthood it's with the burden of knowing that you can make your parents' sacrifices worthwhile simply by doing well in college.

If you're not lucky, however, your family might question whether they can even afford to send you to college.

All this baggage causes some to drop out. Many lower their sights and settle for less lofty dreams. But others are driven to extraordinary heights.

Read Tobar's full column here.

-- Hector Tobar

The columnist talks more in his video, above, and wants to hear your stories about overcoming burdens. Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[PaulRevere]

The tough life has been brought on by themselves. They entered this country illegally so I do not expect the majority of people in this country to be pulling out their violins and starting to play "Woe is Me" anytime soon. Cities on the brink of bankruptcy should realize that the gimme programs afforded these people make and keep these cities in the RED. Though I see no rebellion in ousting current city leaders that believe in throwing your money at the problem, sounds like the federal government!

[Randy L.]

This is true of anyone in America. Life's hard and not everyone will succeed.

We are a nation of opportunity, not always successful outcomes.

I guess it boils down to... "How bad do you really want to succeed?"

[Unbiased]

Hector, let's just home that these stories will be about "legal immigrants" and not "illegal aliens".

[minuteman]

Waaaaaah!

Struggle? To get at my tax dollars? Are you kidding me?

Feel free to head back south to the other land of opertunity you came from next time you feel like you are struggling.

No assylum either! Plenty of calm, quiet spaces south of Juarez so....feel free to check it out.
Altough, it might not be as easy to get to my tax dollars there.

[jay]

Illegal is illegal-what is so difficult about that concept??

Just because you come here illegally rather than stand in line and keep your nose clean doesn't change the fact that you broke the law and should not be rewarded.

Jay
Born in another country, came here legally, and I ask for no handouts.

[Joe]

Hector Tobar is a biased Racist

[R U Joking?!]

Just once I'd like to see an article appreciating the struggles of native born Americans. Or perhaps lauding us for building a society that others risk life & limb to join.

Or at least simply treat the concerns of native-born Americans as equal to those of immigrants. Try saying the phrase native-born rights a few times to get used to it.

Yeah, I know, you'll need to work on it..

[Marlena]

My husband's sister married a man 30 years older than her when she was just 18 years old. They then went thru the legal process to bring her to the United States. Once here and settled they began the long ardous legal process to get her brothers (6) and parents here the legal way. This sister sacrificed her youth to an old man because he had the money and the citizenship to get her family out of Juarez. She was eternally grateful, bore him three children that are 100% Americans, college graduates with advance degrees - she and her brothers learned English rapidly and became part of the melting pot - forever grateful to be out of that hell hole.

[jay vasquez]

Hector. How about the struggles of legal immigrants? That's not a story? Illegal is illegal. End of story.

[Colin]

Would it be a success story of immigrant struggle if I had to struggle with, and succeed, in fighting off an illegal immigrant who was attempting to steal something from me? Does that count?

[JeffSmith]

Perfect example of what ILLEGAL immigration is doing to this country. I found this story on another site..but I agree with it 100 percent. This is mostly for all those people who say, "What harm are they doing to you?" "They have human rights!" and my favorite "They pay taxes just like you."

Joe Legal vs Jose Illegal

You have 2 families..."Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have 2 parents, 2 children and live in California.
"Joe Legal" Works in construction, has a Social Security Number, and
makes $25.00 per hour with payroll taxes deducted...
"Jose Illegal" Also works in construction, has "NO" Social Security
Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Joe Legal...$25.00 per hour x 40 hours, $1000.00 per week, $52,000 per
year, now take 30% away for state federal tax,
Joe Legal now has $31,231.00
Jose Illegal...$15.00 per hour x 40 hours, $600.00 per week, $31,200.00
per year
Jose Illegal pays no taxes...
Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00
Joe Legal pays Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage,
$1000.00 per month $12,000.00 per year,
Joe Legal now has $19,231.00
Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and
local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00
Joe Legal makes too much money is not eligible for Food Stamps or
welfare
Joe Legal pays for food, $1,000.00 per month, $12,000.00 per year
Joe Legal now has $7,231.00
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps
and Welfare
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000..00 per month, $12,000.00 per year
Joe Legal is now in the hole, minus (-) $4,769.00
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy
Jose Illegal pays rent $500.00 per month, $6,000.00 per year
Jose Illegal still has $25,200.00
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after
work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while:
Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch.
Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program.
Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire Services,
but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

[Collis Huntington]

Entering and living in the US illegally is a crime. Educated young people like those mentioned in Mr. Tobar's column are cognizant of this fact. They are the human equivalent of an opportunistic infection. Acceptance to the University of California is a highly competitive process. Presenting false residency documents is one way these criminals play the system.

[jules]

This is to JeffSmith: YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY. Great comment!