1) Where did you live before you immigrated to the U.S.?

        I lived in Colombia in South America.

2) What were your reasons for immigrating?

        My reason to leave my country was because there was violence and it is dangerous in Colombia. Also, I want my children to have a better education. I was not making enough money to put my daughters through college.

3) What was your former country like?

        My former country was hard because there was always war problems.

4) Did you immigrate alone, or with family members/friends?

        I came by myself, with no one, but I made friends on the way.

5) Did you speak English before arriving to the U.S.? Was it difficult to communicate when you first arrive?

        No, I never spoke English because I don’t know English. Yes, it was hard to communicate with other people.

6) What did you expect the U.S to be like before you came?

        I thought that it was beautiful and peaceful country.

7) What form of transportation did you use? Where did you arrive? What route did you take?

        Airplane, the Airport.

8) How long have you been in the U.S.?

        I have been in the U.S. for one year. I arrived in the United States on May 5, 2006.

9) When you first arrived who help you get settle?

       My family helped me to get settled down. 

10) Who helped you come to the U.S.?

        My friend helped me come here.

11) How did you get a job?

        My family and friends help me get jobs.

12) Do you miss your family in your country?

        Yes, I miss everyone in my country.

13) Have you changed since you arrived here?

        No, I haven’t changed a bit.

14) How do you feel when you go to work?

        I feel happy because I know I get money and send it back to my country to help my kids and wife.

15) Were people friendly to you when you arrived? Did you feel welcome?

        Yes, many people said that if I ever need help to just ask them. I feel welcome with ever one that I know.

16) When you first arrived were your expectations accurate?

        No, I was surprised because I thought that here there was only one language but then I found out that there are different types of languages that people speak.

17) If you have children, were they born in your home country or here?

        My children are born in my country, Colombia.

18) Do your children speak your native language?

        Yes, my kids speak my native language which is Spanish.

19) What are your feelings about immigration in our country today?

        I feel that immigrants are not appreciated in America because he feels as though when they stand on the corner, there is always a policeman watching. I think that immigrants are being discriminated against. I hope it will change.