My boyfriend’s grandmother came to California from Mexico in 1972 when she was four years old. She came to California with her mother and her siblings looking for new opportunities such as work and freedom. This was their pull factor during 1972. My boyfriend’s grandmother’s family wanted a better work opportunity and more freedom so her mother could support her and her siblings. On top of that, they had family drama and her mother wanted a fresh start in California where she would be able to find better work for herself and support her family. This was the push and pull factor because her living environment in Mexico was very different compared to the neighborhoods in California and her parents had unresolved drama during this time which made them move to California. While my boyfriend’s grandmother’s mother worked diligently during the day, she and her siblings went to school. She had a difficult time learning because she didn’t know English very well and no one could speak Spanish to her. This affected her learning in California because of the language barrier. She felt like an outcast because of the language barrier and that was something she hasn’t experienced before. Thankfully, her siblings made her feel more comfortable. Her eldest sibling also helped her with her school work by  interpreting and understanding English better for her since her mother didn't know English very well either. 

– Nicole Udagawa

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant