As I stepped off the plane at Mexico City’s international airport, I couldn’t help but think about the millions of deportees who had taken this same journey before me – their dreams of a better life in the United States shattered by the harsh reality of deportation.
For Varuk Racine, his parents’ decision to return to Mexico after 14 years in the U.S. was a nightmare come true. Separated from his family and struggling to adjust to life back home, Racine’s story is a testament to the difficulties faced by U.S. deportees in Mexico.
“I didn’t want to come back,” Racine said, his voice trembling with emotion. “It was really, really hard.”
Racine’s family had made the difficult decision to leave the United States after Proposition 187 passed in California, which barred undocumented immigrants from attending public schools. But for Racine, the adjustment to life in Mexico was brutal.
“I flunked music class because I didn’t know the Mexican national anthem,” he said with a chuckle. “And English class because I corrected my teacher.”
Racine’s story is not unique. For many U.S. deportees, the return to Mexico is marked by difficulties in adjusting to life back home. From struggling to find employment and housing to navigating the complex bureaucracy of obtaining government ID, the challenges are numerous.
But it’s not just about survival. It’s about rebuilding a life that was shattered by deportation. For Racine, this means finding ways to help other deportees adjust to life in Mexico.
“We speak English, we speak Spanglish,” he said with a smile. “Here’s a space where you can find that comfort.”
Racine works at Pocha House, a community space geared towards offering “dignified accompaniment” to deportees as they adjust to life in Mexico. It’s a safe haven for those who have been forced to leave the United States and are struggling to find their place back home.
But even with the support of organizations like Pocha House, many U.S. deportees face an uphill battle. From navigating the complex process of obtaining government ID to finding employment and housing, the challenges are numerous.
For Edwin Malagón, his return to Mexico has been marked by a sense of independence. Gone are the days he would give haircuts on his grandma’s porch; now, he rents his own space and is building up a steady clientele with affordable haircuts.
“I’m living the American dream in Mexico,” Malagón said with a grin. “Working two jobs.”
But despite the challenges, many U.S. deportees are determined to rebuild their lives back home. From finding employment and housing to navigating the complex bureaucracy of obtaining government ID, they are fighting to create a new reality for themselves.
“I don’t have any wish of going back over there,” said Guillermo Perez, a 35-year-old who spent over two decades in Austin, Texas. “I don’t see myself over there. My life is here.”
Perez’s story is a testament to the resilience of U.S. deportees. Despite being forced to leave the United States and struggling to adjust to life back home, they are determined to build a new future for themselves.
As I left Mexico City, I couldn’t help but think about the millions of deportees who have taken this same journey before me – their dreams shattered by deportation. But it’s not just about survival; it’s about rebuilding a life that was shattered by deportation.
And for many U.S. deportees, that means finding ways to create a new reality back home – one where they can live with dignity and pride.
Source: Deseret
