Immigration – Juani Manzo

Tomorrow, April 3rd, my permission to stay in the country as a tourist will expire and I will be stuck in Limbo.

Passport

Since I came in October to the US I’ve felt weird. I am used to traveling and I have always done it with a tourist visa. I came to this country before and I traveled across both coasts and I had a great time. I went to Europe and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt alive. I have never felt uncomfortable. I was free. I did what I wanted when I wanted. This time is different. I came to see my boyfriend and he ended up proposing to me. Of course I said yes, but deep inside in that precise moment I felt something. Fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being different, fear of feeling imprisoned. And that feeling didn’t go away, on the contrary, it is still with me and it is stronger than never. Continue reading “Abandoned By My Passport”

Race Babies

Great! That wasn’t complicated at all, next step and I know they are going to call me. Personal information.. I can do that.

“Ethnicity, Are you Hispanic or Latino? (A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture origin, regardless of race)”

Regarless of race? Wait. What does it mean? Hispanic is one thing and Latino is another. The first one is related to ancient Hispania (Iberian Peninsula) and now it relates to Spain, its history and culture. Latino, on the other hand, refers more exclusively to persons of Latin American origin.

Next question: “Race, please select: 1-American Indian or Alaska Native, 2-Asian, 3-Black or African American, 4-Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 5-White, 6-Two or More Races”

Which race should I choose then? I know I am from Argentina, South America, but does it mean that I don’t have a race or we Argentinians and the rest of South America have too many races?

Continue reading “Race Doesn’t Want Me On Its Team”