These pictures of my older brothers, Daniel and Luis Felipe (left), and myself (right) represent the reason why my parents came the United States. My parents came from a small town in Zacatecas, Mexico. They made the choice to come to the US one year after Luis was born in the year 2000. This shows me that they wanted a better life for their son and for any future kids to come. My parents work hard every day to help our family get by while still helping our relatives in Mexico. My mother works as a service cleaner and my father as a carpenter. I normally see my parents after they come home from work, so I grew up with my aunts and uncles who babysat me. My parents only wanted what was best for me and I am grateful for that. Especially, every time when I look at my father’s hands with blisters, I see how he’s giving my brothers and I the chance for a better life. Now my older brother Daniel is the only one college, and Luis is helping my parents pay for his tuition by working the night shift at LAX. I am so grateful for my parents and Luis for making the sacrifice of dropping out of school so that Daniel and I can succeed.  

– Manuel Hernandez

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant