Undocumented, Unskilled Immigrant
The story of his journey from living in fear to entering the U.S. with only a temporary government permit is neither complete nor the same for every immigrant seeking permanent asylum. But this one story demonstrates the perseverance needed to pursue a path hopefully leading to stability in life and career.
FAMILY
Jackson Villamarin Villegas (JVV) was born in Caracas, Venezuela, South America.
The distance from Caracas to the closest Texas border is 2315 miles. Flying time is 10+ hours directly. Walking will consume many months if accomplished without negative incidents.
CHILDHOOD
Among JVV’s childhood interests were several solo activities: Nintendo video games and playing with a Super Mario doll.
He and his father enjoyed watching MLB baseball games and NBA basketball games together on television. JVV hoped to travel to the U.S. to see one of those games in person but realistically, they could not afford the combined costs of airfare, tickets to the arena or stadium and a room to stay in. So, they each collected baseball caps instead.
THE LIFE AND CAREER HE LEFT BEHIND
While living in Venezuela, JVV’s job involved cooking for the food cart which he owned with his sister. Sales of food from the cart provided minimal net profits (income barely more than expenses).
Wanting to improve the lives of himself and lower-class workers in his country, JVV joined in peaceful public protests against who he considered to be the corrupt leaders of the Venezuelan government. This caused LVV’s life to be threatened. He was jailed for 32 days for his ‘anti-government activism.’
While in jail and tied to a chair, an object was forcibly placed in one of JVV’s hands. The object exploded, causing the loss of the tips of two of his fingers. He woke up in a military hospital, from which he was eventually discharged, providing the opportunity to promptly flee his country or remain safe if he abandoned his anti-government statements and activism.
After discussing options with his family and receiving their blessing for him to leave, JVV reluctantly decided that he could no longer safely remain in his homeland.
JOURNEY TO FREEDOM AND A NEW LIFE
JVV’s journey from Venezuela to the U.S. border in Texas involved several months of combined walking plus low to no-cost rides on various types of wheeled transportation heading north. Harsh weather conditions and gangs preying on travelers were his enemies.
After crossing into Texas (he won’t say how or where to protect others on the same journey), fellow immigrant travelers helped JVV find his way to the Texas city of San Antonio. Hearing from other undocumented escapees that he would be unwelcome in any Texas city, JVV used money that a Venezuelan cousin had loaned to him, cleverly sewn into one of shoes, to buy a ticket on a low-cost airline for a flight to New York City.
SOME IN AMERICA TURN THEIR BACK BUT SOME LEND A HELPING HAND
Editor’s note – Immigration, both legal and illegal, is how the U.S. has grown in population and economics since the entire northern continent was inhabited and ruled by unrelated native tribes.
Immigrants not only increase population; they replace workers who have retired or died. In many situations, immigrants are willing to work in difficult circumstances where U.S. employers can’t find anyone else to hire.
Always an issue among long-time U.S. citizens whose ancestors paved the way for their comfort and freedoms in this new land, immigration has become a hot political issue with extremely divided opinions on who and how best to admit people from other countries who are seeking a better life in the U.S.
It is understandable – to this editor – that the border states should not bear the full burden of providing public services to immigrants. A combination of state and federal government laws and activities should address such immigrant issues as humanitarian aid (food, shelter, medical care) and protecting public safety for both immigrants and citizens.
JVV was among more than150,000 migrants who made their way to New York City from the spring of 2022 to early December 2023 – a surge which the NYC mayor described as a humanitarian crisis, estimated to cost the city about $12 billion over three years.
After arriving in New York City, JVV understood that migrant services were best found in the city’s Manhattan borough. The underground subway was the least expensive way to travel and by then, a more comfortable choice of transit than walking. He got lost in the subway system for four hours before a police officer at a station in the Bronx guided him to a migrant shelter processing center, where JVV was assigned a room at the Sleep Inn Hotel in Brooklyn with a roommate, where he stayed for two years.
The shelter, he said, allowed JVV to figure out how to find jobs without legal documentation – landing one three months later for a junk removal and hauling company. Like many new arrivals, JVV worked ‘off the books’ at first but eventually, he received his government work authorization while he applied for U.S. asylum status due to fear for his life if having to return to Venezuela.
JVV has applied for another job with New York City’s Department of Social Services providing care for fellow migrants who are living in shelters. News about his job prospects with the city agency was pending at this writing.
He was able to move from the shelter with assistance from a nonprofit group, Fundavenye, that helps Spanish-speaking New Yorkers with issues involving applications for asylum and work authorizations plus enrolling in classes for speaking English, understanding his rights and connecting with other immigrants who could mentor him through his journey. JVV also received a one-time cash stipend of nearly $600 from the group.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE ALWAYS HELPFUL
JVV’s experience as an undocumented, unskilled worker has been easier than that of many other recent migrants, according to the leader of Fundavenye. He attributed that to JVV’s positive attitude that allowed him to overcome language and cultural barriers to connect with people.
However, JVV wishes he had made more friends locally while often feeling isolated. When not working, he tends to keep to himself so he can rest, recover and, as a devoted Catholic, pray.
His new apartment has also allowed JVV to reconnect with his passion for cooking. In Caracas, his food cart sold hot dogs, fried rice, soups and ‘cachapas’ a popular Venezuelan dish similar to pancakes, which he cooked on a gas stove. He wasn’t allowed to cook at the subsidized hotel where he stayed for the first two years in NYC, so he had to eat out every day.
Notably displayed within his apartment is a collection of hats in two rows, most of them representing American sports teams, dating to his childhood and a hobby he shared with his father.
Recently, JVV saved enough money to buy a $45 ticket to attend a Mets baseball game at their homefield, known as Citi Field. He said he cried with joy as he walked around the stadium and saw its “beautiful facilities.”
JVV’s apartment décor also features a Super Mario stuffied doll that he had purchased from a street vendor in Mexico for 25 pesos. The doll was confiscated by U.S. Border patrol officers for 24 hours when he was being processed at the border, before being returned to him (Editor’s note – The doll was probably x-rayed to determine if it was concealing illegal drugs or a weapon.). Now JVV describes the Mario doll as his companion and best friend. He talks to it when he feels sad and alone.
HELPING WHILE MISSING HIS FAMILY
JVV’s family in Caracas, whom he continues to support financially by sending money orders home – hopefully none are intercepted – include his three teenage children. He often feels alone without them, only able to talk to them on video on his phone. Still, “I don’t have any regrets because it was my life and my family encouraged me to leave the country.”
HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE LIFE
One day, JVV would like to cook instead of having to earn his living – and more to send home – as a general laborer. “My profession is the kitchen; I love cooking. I feel extremely happy cooking, my food is healthier, I feel very, very well,” stated JVV.
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This story of an undocumented, unskilled immigrant was based on a news article written by Danielle McLean, published by the New York Times on August 4, 2024.
