IMMIGRATION INTERFERENCE

IMMIGRATION INTERFERENCE

personal essay Roberto De Paz-Garcia // 10

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2019. 6:20 AM

“Good morning, Tio Wio,” I said to my uncle in a half-awake state. My uncle responded back with a “good morning” in his normal sleepy state. I questioned my uncle about his plans were for the day, and he said he was invited for breakfast at I-HOP by my brother-inlaw. At this time, my mom had already left for work while my dad and my other uncle were having a conversation on the back porch, both unaware of the fateful things that were about to strike us. My dad left before my uncle, so went to his car not long after my mom left. As my dad was approaching his car, an ICE official came out with his rifle pointed at my dad and yelled,

“Put your hands in the air or I’ll shoot,” He yelled, assuming that my dad was my other uncle who had a warrant. My dad rushed to the back door and yelled at my sister to unlock the door. My sister unlocked the door and my dad ran into the kitchen as my other uncle went into my sister’s closet. My uncle was in the bathroom changing as my dad came out of the kitchen and made his way to the front door. ICE officials were on the opposite side of the door and they were banging on the door. After a tradeoff of my dad asking for the distortion warrant and stating his rights and the officials screaming to open the door, the door gave in and the officials stormed in.

6:30 AM

The officials promptly cuffed my dad and took him outside. At this time, I told my uncle that my life was pointless. I was unable to hear his response because the next thing I recalled was an official asking me why I was hiding. I looked

up and became numb at the sight of his rifle. He escorted me outside while I had my hands up, believing that I did something wrong. Shortly after, my brother and sister came out. My brother had