I met Jose (not his real name) at a grocery store near my home in Cincinnati, OH. He was having trouble explaining what he needed to the clerk, and I stepped in to supply the missing word. We became friends and have known each other about two years now.

Jose came to the United States from Nicaragua in 1999, after a fire destroyed his home. He has returned three times now, but finds that in order to provide for his family he must return to the United States. He describes Nicaragua here:

“My home is beautiful. Of course it is my home, and more beautiful to me for that, but everyone who comes says it is beautiful too. Our people are beautiful too. We work, we love each other and God, and we live.”

He goes on to describe the beautiful water and the friendliness of the people who live near his hometown. His voice changes when he starts to discuss war.

“The fighting was hard. Where we lived it was hard to know who would strike next. It did not matter who you supported-if the fighters came, they would be hungry. And they would take what they wanted. But even during war, people helped each other. The war was everywhere, but we lived. They took from us everything but not our love for each other or our love for our Country.”

We speak about family and Nicaragua for a few more moments before I ask Jose about coming here.

“The trip is hard. I have come here four times now. Every time is hard. You get to the border however you can. Some people come in trucks, some in busses. Some walk. I came with people from different places. You do not ask where. You walk a lot. And you are hungry and thirsty. I paid everything to get here. After a few days, there was not money for food so you go hungry. When you cross the border, it is dangerous. There are people along the frontera who will kill you. On both sides. You are not safe just because you enter the US. When I got to Houston, where a friend was waiting, I was sick and my feet bled. I think it is worse for the women. That is why we leave them behind. There are things that happen to women trying to come to the US that are worse than anything that happens to men. There are worse things than dying and pain.”

I ask him why he comes here if it is so hard.

“You do anything for your family. If you can make life better for your mother by suffering, you suffer. My life here is not better than in Nicaragua. I work hard and have nothing. But my family has things. When my mother was sick, I could send her money to get better. My sister is in University. She will not remember what life was like during the fighting and she will have a good life because I work. If you are a man, you take care of your family. I am here to take care of my family.”

I ask him what he thinks of Obama. Jose says that he has hopes for Obama’s immigration plan. He hopes it will bring good workers to the US and help get rid of criminals.

“There are many people that came here to work and live a good life. There are also many that are running from something. In order to have good relations the US must try to help the first and not the second. Right now killers can come here easier than Doctors. I hope your president can change that. I love this country too. It has done many things for me and I would like to see it grow with help from its neighbors in Latin America. There must be a way and maybe your Obama can find it. I have many hopes for him”


We then talk about the law.

“I have never been sent home by immigration. When I go home it is because I need to see my family. I have heard stories about immigration but I do not know. I do know what it is like to fear though. I do not make problems for myself. I do not fight or go to jail like a lot do. I try to live my life in peace. I do fear though. I see the police and wonder if they are for me. I have lived in many places. I do not like to stay in the same place. I think that they will find me and send me home. It is hard to live in fear but it is harder to live in suffering.”

I think that last sentence says it all.