Yesterday, I had the honor to speak at the Rally for Unity in Warrenton. It was an amazing experience. More than 150 Fauquier residents showed up. Fauquier residents who are fired up. They are against building a wall and a Muslim ban. I had the opportunity to share my very own immigration story and what should we do next as a community. I have explained that we need to get organized to elect more Democrats, so we could have a strong state government in Virginia that will be ready to fight back Mr. President and hold accountable divisive figures like Corey Stewart (Chair of the County Board of Supervisors in Prince William County).
I am originally from Peru. I came to this country looking for better opportunities for my oldest daughter who is 25 today. I am a 15-year resident of Prince William County (PWC). Despite segregation and harassment, I am one of the few Latinas who stayed in Prince William County after Corey Stewart was elected Chair in 2006. I remember being pulled over at least once a week to be questioned about my immigration status, the property of my house and vehicle, and the way I dressed. There were difficult times, but I refused to leave because PWC gave me the opportunity to become a homeowner when I was a single mother.
The day I will never forget was when my oldest daughter came from school crying because she thought that I would be deported. My daughter’s classmates who looked like us were facing deportation and their families were being broken apart. I had to explain to my daughter the difference between being a documented immigrant and an undocumented immigrant. She was happy to learn that we were safe. Nevertheless, as her mother, I can assure you that since that day, my daughter would blame all of her failures to the way she looks and where she came from.
Today, it is 2017; I am happily married and have raised 4 beautiful children in PWC. After Election Day, my 9-year-old son comes and tells me: “Mommy we need to get out, Trump does not like people who speak Spanish.” For these reasons, I cannot stay silent anymore. This is a nation of immigrants! I need to bring the diversity of my district to Richmond and be the voice of the voiceless. If I am elected, I will be the first Hispanic female in the Virginia Assembly. I live in an incredibly diverse district, but I am running against a 14-year incumbent who has built up a lot of money along the way, so I am starting at a huge financial disadvantage, but I can’t do this alone. Can I count on you to support me? secure.actblue.com/...