The Texas Tribune spotlights the journey of Jessica Mejía and her mother, Carmen Ramirez, a Colombian family living in Baytown, Texas, as they work towards US citizenship. Their story is a testament to resilience and determination, made possible with the support of One Percent for America, a new nonprofit initiative by BlueHub. This initiative provided them with a crucial 1% loan to cover the rising cost of citizenship fees, making their American dream more accessible. To date, seventy such loans have been granted to immigrants in Texas, including Mejía and her mother.
Carmen Ramirez and her daughter Jessica Mejía are shown in their home in Baytown, TX. Photo by Briana Vargas via The Texas Tribune. Mejía reflects on their journey with a sense of determination, stating, “When you don’t have papers, you have to do what you have to do.” She recounts her years as an undocumented immigrant, her work as a private Spanish teacher, and the challenges she faced due to her accent. Today, Mejía, now a green card holder, works as a social worker at a migrant shelter where she finds fulfillment in aiding fellow immigrants. “I’m passionate about and love my job,” she expresses, emphasizing her commitment to helping others find their way.
Their journey to the United States began under dire circumstances. In Colombia, they enjoyed a comfortable life running an electronics business and visiting Houston annually. However, after Mejía’s younger brother was murdered by a criminal group in Medellín in 2012, the family was forced to flee to the US on tourist visas. They overstayed these visas, becoming undocumented immigrants. Despite these challenges, Mejía and Ramirez became legal permanent residents and are now on the path to US citizenship. “I never thought we’d be living here. My parents lived comfortably in Colombia, and I was about to graduate and have a stable job. But after the tragedy, our lives took a 180-degree turn,” Mejía said.
The story of Mejía and her mother highlights the broader challenges of the US immigration system, which has not seen major reforms since 1986. Despite widespread agreement that the system is broken, political divisions have hindered comprehensive reform. The Texas Tribune details the political and social challenges surrounding immigration, emphasizing that the current system often forces immigrants into illegal status due to a lack of viable legal pathways.
Jessica Mejía and her mother are among those benefiting from One Percent for America, which has approved 632 loans at 1% interest to cover citizenship fees, including seventy loans in Texas. Mejía, who now works as a social worker at a migrant shelter, is passionate about helping fellow immigrants. Her mother, encouraged by Mejía’s progress, is also pursuing citizenship, and together they look forward to fully participating in American life, including voting in elections. Mejía plans to continue her education and further her career in social work.
“We immigrated together, so we’re becoming citizens together,” Mejía said, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their American journey.