Diversity Service Center of Iowa
Educational Outreach Program
MUSCATINE, IOWA

In Leon, Guanajuato (Mexico), Luis sold all of his belongings to raise enough money for assistance in crossing the border to the United States. Eventually, he made it to Illinois to be with his girlfriend. He was supposed to have a job lined up at a meat packing plant, but not having a social security number soon eliminated that possibility.

He managed to secure a few months’ work at a meat packing plant in Iowa, where he stayed alone and rented a motel room until his girlfriend and their newborn child were able to join him. One day when he got to work, he was asked to go into an unfamiliar trailer parked in front of the plant. Immigration officials detained him for being an undocumented worker and soon deported him to Mexico.

Later, after Luis had returned to the U.S. and married his girlfriend, she petitioned for him to remain in the U.S. and work legally, but months went by and they received no response from the immigration office.

Luis discovered the Diversity Service Center of Iowa in Muscatine and asked Rosa Mendoza, the director of the program, to investigate his case. The Diversity Center provides assistance to immigrants who wish to become legal residents of the U.S., offers community workshops and seminars about immigration and diversity, and referrals to other local service providers.

Luis eventually received a denial letter from the immigration office, but with Rosa’s help he filed an appeal and was officially declared a legal resident after a long and uncertain waiting process. As soon as he reaches three years as a legal resident, he can apply for U.S. citizenship.