Running Head: Immigrant Interview

Eric Hufford

Immigrant Interview

04/12/2017
Running Head: Immigrant Interview

It was the summer of 1970 when a young Louis Manuel Garcia had just

immigrated to the United States from Cuba. A country known for its cultural

diversity, Cuba boasts influences from the French, Asian, and Spanish

cultures. Born in Havana, Louis says he can barely remember life on the

island. I remember feeling like I could never escape the sound of music,

says Louis. Louis also talked at great length about the architecture that can

be found in the city. He discusses how from its buildings to its cars Havana

was certainly a place that appears to be lost in time. Using words like exotic

to describe its landscape Louis maintains the stance that it is the most

beautiful place he has ever been to this day.

When asked about his reasons for immigrating to America Louis talks

about his mother Esperanza. Esperanza aspired to work in the medical field

as a radiologist and had recently been accepted into a program in Chicago,

Illinois. So her and her husband decided moving to America was the most

reasonable choice to make. Louis recalls his father saying that since Louis

and his brother Ivan were young enough that the move wouldnt affect them

in any major way. Louis does not remember the process of actually

immigrating to the U.S. but he said it felt as if they had just packed up and

moved, leaving friends and family behind. Louiss mother was required to
Running Head: Immigrant Interview

request a visa for her two children and the entire process of becoming a U.S.

citizen took Louis about a year and a half. He remembers feeling devastated

since Cuba was all he knew but the tall, modern buildings of Chicago sparked

his curiosity. That coupled with his fathers promise of opportunity eased his

transition into the new world.

At a young age Louis recalls life in America as extremely difficult since

he spoke very little English. Living in a lower class neighborhood while his

mother went to school and his father worked brought many hard times. His

expectations for America were of a free and kind country that offered

equality for all people no matter the race. This was true in many aspects yet

Louis still dealt with racism and was bullied as a child for being Cuban. His

expectations were not met at first and he spent most of his time missing

home.

As the years progressed his mother became a certified radiologist and

after achieving this certification the family moved to Miami where Louis

spent the remaining years of his childhood. Once in Miami my life changed

drastically for the better, Garcia recalls. His mother got a job at a local

hospital and his father continued working manual labor. His family was able

to move to a better neighborhood and Louis began to excel in school. I

finally started to understand the beauty of America, Louis declares. He goes

on to discuss how it was possible for his mother to move from a different

country and completely change the lives of her family for the better. He
Running Head: Immigrant Interview

discusses how the hard work aspect of the American dream is rarely talked

about but is the key to success. Talking about the long days his mother spent

working at the laundry mat while going to school.

I asked Louis to conclude this interview with a comparison of the two

countries and which one he prefers. He first starts by talking about how he

revisits Cuba occasionally to see family. It still feels like home, Louis said

going on to state that the land, the atmosphere, and mainly people just feel

like home. Though it feels like home to Louis he still is happy his mother

decided to immigrate here. It allowed him to join the military and travel the

world. He has an outstanding sense of patriotism because of everything

America has done for him. The living conditions experienced in the U.S. far

exceed anything his family that stayed in Cuba could have ever experienced.

He talks of how a lot of people are quick to criticize and turn on America but

most of them are unaware of how wonderful they actually have it here. He

also discussed at great length the difference in perception of poverty. He is

constantly reminded every time he revisits Cuba how privileged American life

can be.