Interview with

a Mexican
Immigrant
By Victoria D., Kaitlyn S.,
Ester A., and Chloe G.

Her story...

Berenice Lopez
Dorsey

Came to the US to marry the love of her life!

Spoke very little English
Went to work for Key Bank for a few years
and quit when she had her daughter
Her husband had 3 failed back surgeries and
needed to go back to work
Entered the construction business and
never looked back!

Oaxaca, Mexico

US Immigration
The US Congress passed a law known as The Immigration and Naturalization Act
(INA). This law includes regulations on:

Who can enter the country

How long they can stay
When they have to leave

To get permanent residency to live in the US, the future immigrant needs to file for
either a visa or a green card.

30 Day Visa versus Green Card

30 Day Visa

Green Card

Temporary
Can be used for visits and
for getting married
A starting point for
residency

Permanent
Used for living and
working in the US

The US Immigration Eligibility

Family Based:

Spouses of American citizens

Children of American citizens (has to be unmarried and under 21)
Parents of US citizens who are under 21

Employment Based:

Person with high ability/experience

Advanced degrees
Planning to invest 1 million in job creation

The US Immigration Eligibility (cont)

Refugees

US ceiling is 70,000

The Diversity Visa Program

Countries of low immigration rates

Random people selected with:
High school education in three past 5 years
Two years work experience

Humanitarian Relief

Waiting on Approval
If you meet the eligibility requirements, the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services) will inform the petitioner once theyve reached a decision.

Visas have a limited amount, so if the petition is approved, it will go the the National
Visa Center until a visa number is available.

Getting a Green Card

If the visa is approved and there is an available visa, the person immigrating will get a
packet called Visa Packet that is intended to be given to the border patrol when
crossing.

A green card will come in the mail to prove permanent residency

Adapting to American Culture

Knew very minimal english

Didnt know any other Spanish speakers for her first 5 years in the U.S.

Kept the parts of her culture that she wanted while still embracing the american
culture

Likes/Dislikes of American Culture

Likes

Viewed America as a land of opportunities

She could be who she wanted to be

Dislikes

Oregons weather
Distance between her and her immediate family
Lack of quality family time

American V.S. Mexican Culture

Family
American
-Family is usually second
to work.
-Children often minimally
parented; are
independent.

Mexican
-Family is the first priority.
-Children are celebrated and
sheltered.

Berenices View on Main Cultural

Differences
-Moved when she was 22 to the U.S., the American culture was entirely new for her.
-Learned to be infused fully with the American culture, over the years.
-She was conscious of the different cultures but she did not fully grasp all the details
after living in the U.S.
- She noticed the male and female roles in a family concerning the workforce and
how people are viewed.
-In the Mexican culture, woman are required to know how to cook, clean, and
knit/sew.

Berenices View on Main Cultural

Differences
-Berenice was taught by her mother to be a good wife and when she got to the U.S.
she was not expected to be a good housewife and that allowed her to exceed her
expectations to her husband and his family.
-She viewed the cultural differences as two different worlds.
- In conclusion Berenice felt like she can bring her culture, beliefs, and morals and
make the best out of her situation.

References
Consular Processing. (n.d.). Retrieved January/February, 2016, from https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-andprocedures/consular-processing
Ilink | USCIS. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from https://www.uscis.gov/iframe/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/8cfr.html
Kras, E. S. (1988). Management in two cultures: Bridging the gap between U.S. and Mexican managers. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural
Press.
The Immigrant Visa Process. (n.d.). Retrieved January/February, 2016, from http://www.travel.state.
gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process.html

Questions Asked
-What was your house like growing up?
-Relationship with your parents? Siblings?
-Mexican culture vs. American
-Did you feel pressure to become apart of the American culture or did you feel comfortable about being from a different
one?
- How hard was the immigration process and what was it like?
- Why did you come to the United States?
-Would you ever think about going back to Mexico?
-How did your family feel about you moving away from everyone?
-Did you know English? If not, how did you go about learning the language?
-What has been the hardest part about living in the states?
-Are there things you would change?