Social Justice Documentation Project

I interviewed my mother, about her life in America since she moved here from the Philippines. I wanted to find out her experience of immigration and the trouble that she went through to find a job.

When did you move to America from the Philippines?

I moved here when I was eighteen or nineteen years old.

Who in the family decided to leave the Philippines?

Your Lolo (my grandpa) wanted to come here to give our family a better chance of succeeding in life to make more money. You see in the Philippines there weren’t many opportunities since the economy wasn’t very good.

Was it hard coming here to America?

Yes and no. The process of coming here was easier back then. Your Lolo (my grandpa) graduated as an engineer. He worked in a company that was also in America. The company in America needed people with experience since they couldn’t find anyone so they brought over applications to people in the Philippines. Your Lolo was one of the lucky ones to receive an application. The application included a petition to come to America as an immigrant. When your Lolo received the job and flew to America, he had to leave our family behind. He had to live in America alone for five years before he can petition us to come over.

When it was your turn to come here was it hard to find a job?

Sort of. I graduated into restaurant hospitality and my first job was at Burger King. It wasn’t my first choice but I couldn’t get any other job.

Why couldn’t you get another job?

I’ve been rejected from restaurants that wanted people that graduated from America rather than a school in a different country. One of the places that I applied for was at an Olive Garden and they told me straight to my face that I would never get a decent job with my diploma.

How was your experience after that interview?

I felt insecure and I actually believed him. That’s why I applied for a low paid job at Burger King. I started as a cashier then I became a manager of the store. I ended up working there for five years and then I had you.

Do you think that if you went back to apply, you would encounter the same problem?

I am happy with my job now. I worked hard for my position at Corner Bakery and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have a great family and I am lucky to be living a life that I would’ve never of thought to have. It just took me awhile to realize that the comment that was said to me was wrong and I would never put up with someone like that again because I know I'm better than that.