Thursday, April 14, 2011

Through an Immigrant’s eyes: Between two worlds

This story shows how immigrants struggle with life here. They have to deal with two worlds, the American life and the culture and customs they bring with them. - - Donna Poisl

By Ryan Neal, Daily Review Atlas

MONMOUTH — Like many people in Monmouth, Elena Gillen has a love of agriculture. As a college student in Mexico she wanted to specialize in soil improvement, but all the books in the bibliography were in English. She decided she wanted to come to America to learn the language.

That was back in the 1980s when acquiring a VISA was easier. Her family had some money and her brother was in Galesburg. Had she come now, getting a visa would have been much tougher.

Gillen said simply applying for a visa costs $100 — more than a week's pay for many in Mexico — and even with a letter of recommendation there is no guarantee. Gillen said corruption is part of the visa process.
Click on the headline above to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

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