Fermin and Margarita

Fermin and Margarita’s story is like that of many U.S. couples. Six year ago, they began as friends. They fell in love, moved in together, then married sixteen months ago. They own a home together and work long hours to make their mortgage payments and provide for their family. With careful budgeting, they’re able to get by. But Fermin is at risk for deportation, which could turn their life upside-down at any moment.

Fermin followed his brothers and sisters to the U.S. to help out his parents in Mexico. But, unlike most of his siblings, he is not a legal permanent resident. He came too late to qualify for the 1986 amnesty.

Under current law, Fermin would have to go to Mexico for ten years to be in the U.S. legally. Fermin would have to make a new life there. He said he barely remembers the town he is from. He imagines it must have changed in the fifteen years since he left. He supposes it is likely not as ugly. Margarita has never been to Mexico.

Fermin is in his early thirties. He left Durango, Mexico, when he was 17. In Mexico, he only finished primary school. In Chicago, he works at the same maintenance job he got when he first came to the city. He would like to be a supervisor, but says his legal status prevents him from being promoted. He joked that, once he gets his papers, he is sure to become a business partner. For now, he doesn’t even get regular raises. He does have health insurance and pays into social security, although he is not sure he will be able to collect when he retires. For fifteen years, he has been using a number that is not technically his.

Fermin’s wife, Margarita, looks younger than her forty-some years. She grew up in Chicago’s West Town, but said she never got involved in the gang violence that was endemic in her neighborhood. Her parents are from San Antonio, Texas, and came to Chicago when she was young. Margarita dropped out of high school. She works in a nursing home and works part-time at Burger King. She frequently works seven days a week.

Both Fermin’s and Margarita’s whole families are here. Margarita was born in the U.S., as were her parents. Her only real connection to Mexico is her heritage. She speaks more Spanglish than Spanish. Fermin’s connection to Mexico is also limited; his father passed away recently, and his mother visits the U.S. frequently on a visa.

They don’t have any children together, but Margarita’s children and grandchildren visit often. Margarita’s youngest daughter lives with them, and she has a toddler.

Fermin said he tries not to think about possibility of deportation. But, he admitted that he sometimes can’t help thinking about Margarita’s grandchildren, especially the younger ones. He feels like he is their grandfather, and treasures the time they spend together. A smile came across both of their faces whenever they mentioned the grandchildren. Fermin tries to teach them Spanish, and to teach them about life in general. During the interview, Fermin pulled out a cell phone and played a video recording of Margarita’s two-year-old granddaughter singing in Spanish and English. Margarita can’t abandon her children and grandchildren. They have decided to stay together and hope that Fermin is not caught by immigration agents.