SONIA MOLINA
“I come from a working class family which my mother supported on her own. . .I saw my mother work really hard to pay the rent, the utility bills, and to be able to get us anything else we needed. My mother worked in factories, babysitting, and house cleaning to be able to support my brother and I. ”
Sonia with her grandmother in Mexico City as a child - she has not seen her in 18 years.
Sonia at her college graduation this June - with her mother and brother.
Nominating Organization: Make the Road New York
I still remember that chilly Saturday morning, we turned the corner away from the house that up until that day I had known as my one and only home. We turned that very known corner and began the journey to our new lives.
My name is Sonia Molina and I was born and raised until I was 8 years old in Mexico City. My parents came to the United States when I was 3 to be able to provide a better life for my brother and myself. During this time, my brother and I lived with my paternal grandmother - she was incredibly loving and caring. A couple of years later my mother returned to Mexico and then brought us with her to the United States in 1998.
I come from a working class family which my mother supported on her own because my father returned to Mexico some years after my brother and I were brought here. I saw my mother work really hard to pay the rent, the utility bills, and to be able to get us anything else we needed. My mother worked in factories, babysitting, and house cleaning to be able to support us. There were definitely difficult times but my mother never complained.
When DACA passed in 2012 it was my mother who encouraged me to apply. It was through DACA that I was given the opportunity not only to apply for better jobs but also to be able to attend college. Once I obtained my work authorization I was able to join the organization Make the Road New York as an employee and began to pay for my own college tuition.
With a lot of work, effort and support from my mother and brother I was able to graduate this past June. I also learned about Advanced Parole and the idea of being able to go back to Mexico after 18 years truly fills me with joy. In 2013 my father passed away and although I was already DACAmented I was not aware of the possibility of traveling and unfortunately I was not able to attend his funeral.
My paternal grandmother is now 93 years old and her health is deteriorating as days go by - it has been 18 years since I have seen her. I want to thank her for everything she has done for me while I still have the chance. My advanced parole application was submitted this week, and I am humbly seeking for your support to be able to pay for the plane ticket. I am very hopeful for getting the opportunity to see my grandmother for what could possibly be the last time.
HELLO VUELO IS RAISING $700 TO SEND SONIA TO MEXICO CITY TO SEE HER GRANDMOTHER AFTER 18 YEARS OF SEPARATION!