Sociology 100

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started putting their children into public schools because they could no longer afford private schooling with the deteriorating Jamaican economy. I found out I was pregnant shortly afterwards and realized that I not only had myself to think about but my child as well. After the birth of my daughter I was job searching again and was unsuccessful. Should I just follow in my mom’s footsteps since it seemed like my only option to provide for my daughter? I refused to, there had to be better out there.

The lifechanging phone call came. My aunt had petitioned for my mother to live in the United States and luckily for me I was under the age to travel as my mother’s dependent. Problem? My daughter was not on the paperwork and my aunt did not want to stop the process. I had to make a decision, stay with my daughter and struggle or migrate to create better opportunity for her. I chose to migrate. Within two weeks I was working and sending money to support my daughter. I met a wonderful man to whom I got married and had a son. After five years I applied for Naturalization and on September 18, 2017 I was sworn in as a U.S citizen.

Migration gave me the opportunity to make a better life not only for myself but also for my daughter. It is singly the best decision I made. I am currently a document specialist working in a top law firm that operates in many countries. I have since petitioned for my daughter and have taken her on trips within the limits of her passport. Had the pressures of Jamaica not pushed me out I would not be here. I am hardworking but I am working smarter.