Immigrant Stories

Immigrant Stories: The Matamoros Family

Ivon Matamoros is a DREAMer who came to the United States from Mexico when she was 15 years old. She has lived in Arizona with her parents and sisters since that time. After graduating from high school in Phoenix, she got engaged and planned to marry in March 2011. Ivon has always been very active in her church, which is where … Read more »

Immigrant Stories: The Khoy Family

Lundy Khoy was born in a Thai refugee camp after her parents fled the genocide in Cambodia. When Lundy was one year old, she and her family came to the U.S. as refugees and were granted legal permanent residence. In 2000, when Lundy was 19 and in college, a police officer stopped her and asked if she had any drugs. … Read more »

Immigrant Stories: The Gutierrez Family

Oscar Gutierrez came to the United States from Mexico about 15 years ago. He came as a young teenager to live with his brothers. Oscar married his U.S. citizen wife 11 years ago, and they have 2 U.S. citizen children. After marrying, his wife applied for him to gain lawful status and the application was approved. Several years later, Oscar … Read more »

Immigrant Stories: The Forrester Family

Dana Forrester met her husband, Astley, while on vacation in Jamaica. Astley was working as a security guard at Dana’s hotel when they met. She was grieving the recent loss of her mother at the time, and discovered that Astley had also just lost his own mother; this brought them close together. After Dana left, they spoke on the phone … Read more »

Immigrant Stories: The Carrascos Family

Hugo is a DREAMer who came to the United States at ten years old in 1995. His parents brought him and his brothers and sister to go to school. He grew up in a Christian home and has always known the United States as his home country. He didn’t know about his status until he got to high school and … Read more »