Two Mexican-born servers, both 41 years old, met about 10 years ago working at the same restaurant and as life often cycles in patterns they are now working in the same restaurant once more. Though they’re not blood relatives, they now consider each other family. They’re both unauthorized immigrants, not being able to return to their native country of Mexico. They’re trying to provide for their families and they said living here gives them the most opportunities to do so.
“When my wife and I travel I have to tell her to act cool, not to draw attention to us,” said the Monterrey native.
They try to stay off the radar, so far they’ve been successful and would like to keep it that way. Though they miss their families in Mexico, they now consider Milwaukee to be home. Both men also feel the same obligation to stay. Not just because of their bonds they’ve formed here, but also because their families back in Mexico are dependent on the money the two send back.
“I just want to support my son, he was born here and this is all he knows,” said the Guadalajara native.
A Day Without Latinos.
Hearing those four words sent many a restaurant worker in a state of worry. According to a 2008 Pew Report unauthorized workers make up at least 10 percent of the hospitality industry, though sources like Eater reported in 2017 that the number was over 20 percent. Restaurants would have to close, or try to limp along for what was sure to be a long and disastrous shift. The Farm Bureau’s 2014 report even estimated that with no unauthorized workers in the American workforce would lead to a 5-6% rise in food costs. But now people are scared. Talks of ICE, deportation and a laundry list of mandatory court dates for immigration purposes are heard more often.
“I first came over here on a student visa,” said the Monterrey native.
He is now 41 and said he came over in his teens for school, but his visa is now long expired.
“It was so easy before to go to the border, I could just say I was going shopping and no one would say anything,” he said. “They would just wave me over and let me go to Mexico and then come back to the US.”
Now he says it’s an entirely different story. With talks of the wall and tightening border security, crossing the border without repercussions is near impossible. Not being able to cross the border meant Pedro not being able to see his mother or any of his family back in Mexico.
Last spring, he heard whispers about a possibility, south of San Diego some people were able to make it across the border undetected. Soon after hearing that he called his mom, arranged a meeting date and booked flights for both parties.
“She always ends her calls by saying ‘don’t forget about me’”, said the Monterrey native. “How could I ever do that? She’s my mom.”
The day before they were supposed to meet, he went to the site of the border crossing. His hopes of finally seeing his mom again were dashed when he saw border control there. An emotional phone call followed his discovery.
“She still wanted to try to meet me,” said the Monterrey native. “I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea. Even if we just went up to the fence and talked through it. It would look like I was in jail with the bars across my face.”
His mom has since been trying to obtain a visa to visit her son in his new home country, but it has proven to be a fruitless effort. He said that for a Mexican citizen to get a visitors’ visa to the US is virtually impossible unless you are wealthy.
“The US wants to make sure you have money to spend if you come visit, “ said the Monterrey native. “My mom has tried three different times. She gets to the interview step, has to pay money to go, gets her hopes up and always gets denied.”
Though it’s been a continual let down, he said his mom won’t stop trying to see her son.
“My sisters call all the time and tell me about my mom,” said the Guadalajara native.
He is lucky enough that his family is relatively well off in Mexico and are able to afford to come and visit. Every spring they plan a visit which turns into a road trip somewhere around the US. Last year was Florida and Graceland.
“When she’s here we try to do as much as we can,” said the Guadalajara. “I want to do as much with her as possible while I still can.”
Besides having a family here to support, he also helps support his mother in Mexico.
“One day my sisters called me crying, they said ‘mom is going blind and doesn’t want to tell you,’” said the Guadalajara native.
He expressed how hard it is to hear those things and not be there physically for support. But he never entertains the thought of going back. With an American born son and family here it just doesn’t make much sense. He feels that if he stays put it will be better for his family in both locations; he feels he give his son the most opportunities.
“I just want him to be a good man,” said the Guadalajara native.
Though not born here, most are chasing after the American Dream. If one works hard enough, they can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and achieve great things. The current political climate is making these people feel restricted to living in the shadows, but these are the people who nourish and take care of you when you dine out. Latino line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, bussers, food runners, servers, they make up most restaurants. They are the backbone of the restaurant industry.