My objects represent me now and not the person I used to be. It is a piece of paper and picture of my daughter. But this piece of paper is not something that everyone gets like a birth certificate or a piece of homework, but it is something those like me would almost never get. It is a pardon from the governor of Puerto Rico. My upbringing was not the best. Having lost my parents and not having the best role models, I ended up getting into a lot of trouble which sent me to jail. While in jail, my daughter started growing up without me. Not being there for her devastated me. But, now that I am out I am working to help her out. I not only want to make money for me and my daughter but for the rest of my family that I left in Puerto Rico. The first time I touched these papers I knew right there that I am a new man. When I got out I started yelling with joy and I just ran. I went to Burger King and used my release papers to get a free meal. I asked for “anything with bacon.”  Moving to America has impacted my life in an extremely positive way and I’m so happy to be here.

– sergio

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant