Preserving Immigration Stories

This period of transition has marked the lives of many of us, even if the actual immigration event was only a few hours or a few weeks. It is the transition of leaving behind everything you know and opening ourselves up to new possibilities. This bold step, taken by many of our parents or grandparents, completely demolished their foundation in the construction of a better foundation for us. To record this event of courage and faith, you can use the following guide as a structure when conducting your own interviews with family. In a time where these stories are devalued, it is essential to lean into curiosity with love and compassion to better understand our families and to better understand ourselves. 

1. What did you know about the United States when you lived in ____? ¿Qué sabías sobre los Estados Unidos cuando vivías en ____?

2. Did you have family or friends in the United States? ¿Tenías amistades o familiares en los Estados Unidos?

3. What was the process before coming to the United States? ¿Que era el proceso antes de venir a los Estados Unidos?

4. What day did you arrive in the United States? ¿Qué día llegaste a los Estados Unidos?

5. What did it feel like after arriving in the United States? ¿Cómo te sentías después de llegar a los Estados Unidos? 

6. What was the most difficult part? ¿Qué fue lo más difícil?

7. What was the easiest part? ¿Qué fue lo más fácil?

8. What is one word or phrase to describe your first months in the United States? ¿Qué es una palabra o una frase para describir sus primeros meses en los Estados Unidos?