National Immigrant Heritage Month - Foster Members' Immigration Stories You Must Read!

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-AB Hart -

At the age of 10, I immigrated the United States from Peru.

I experienced first hand the long process of coming a U.S. citizen. Seeing the nature of navigating the immigration system in my own household, it inspired me to help others through this process.

My first job in the immigration field was when I was 18 years old as a legal assistant. It is an honor to help others with their immigration process and it brings me joy to see that we can all pursue the American Dream.

Diana Dominguez

As a first generation Mexican-American, I feel strongly connected with my clients and the process they are going through.

Being able to help people attain their immigration goals and achieve the American dream, the same way my parents did, is extremely fulfilling.

Emmanuel Arowolo

My immigration journey started with my Father. He came to the U.S. from Nigeria as a Rockefeller foundation post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania 1977 -1978. Whilst here with my mother, they had my older brother who then, 22 years later, returned to the U.S. and eventually sponsored me. I vividly remember losing interest in immigrating to the United States all together.

My brother started the green card process when I was in high school and it was only completed when I graduated law school, 8 years later. I remember thinking, what an insanely long process and wanting no part of anything like that ever again. So of course, when I finally moved to the U.S., the very first job I landed was with an immigration attorney. Go figure! Looking back, I am so grateful for that first job because it gave me a deeper understanding of the U.S. immigration system and inspired me to help others navigate it.

Being able to help other immigrants take that first significant step towards realizing their version of the American dream still resonates with me. I think of my father in 1978, J-1 visa in hand, and I am filled with a sense of duty and pride.

-Eunice Lee -

My mother moved to the United States on July 4, 1976, 200 years after the founding of our country.

She recalls the hope and optimism she clung to at the start of her new life journey as she watched the grand fireworks displays and merriment in the streets. Over the years, my parents worked hard to build a fulfilling and prosperous life in their new country, and they continue to show gratitude for the many opportunities our family has received since immigrating to the United States. As we celebrate National Immigrant Heritage month, I am honored to serve the immigrant community that continues to shape American history.?

- Ji Seon Seo -

As a nation of immigrants, we all know someone with an immigration experience or have an immigration heritage story of our own.?My immigration journey began when I first arrived at a foreign place I'd only seen inside a film or a TV screen, filled with big hope and dreams.?

Not just my dream, but dreams and hopes of my parents to provide me with the most opportunity and best possible education in the U.S. so that I can become a successful, contributing member of the society.?

It was very challenging, as I was having to learn every?vocabulary word and getting frustrated why the word meaning "injury" and the past tense of "wind" are both spelled "wound", while my classmates were having sophisticated discussions about principles of macroeconomics or geopolitical analysis.?

But as I noted, this is a nation of immigrants and I was not alone. I was encouraged and motivated by so many people who were facing the same challenges of being in a new country with different language, custom and culture.?I was inspired?by the success of immigrants who came before us, who overcame and rose above those struggles and challenges and made?the contributions that enriched and strengthened this country.?

Diversity and community makes us strong, and I am proud to be a Korean American adding my experience to the rich histories, endless contributions,?unique cultures and continual progress we make together through our diverse immigrant communities.?