About Writing

As undocumented young people, we share an intimate part of ourselves in hopes of giving an insight into what it's like to grow up and live as undocumented in the United States. The majority of the writing comes from undocumented youth in E4FC's creative writing program. Some of the themes in our writing include memories of home, immigrating and assimilating, relationships with loved ones, and hope for a bright future.

We all have a story to tell— share yours here!

Before Leaving

Click on a title to read the story.

Toads

by Julio Navarrete
Childhood memories of growing up in México, and experience of crossing the border.

Memories

by Nadia Brasil
Reminiscing about childhood memories and things left behind.

Letter to Myself Before Leaving

by Ingrid Hernandez
An intimate letter from present day to Ingrid's childhood self before leaving México.

Las Estrellas Doradas

by Vianney A. Gavilanes
Childhood memories of eating star-shaped cookies and spending time with family.

In Mexico I Left

by Andrea Torres
A poem about things left behind.

Chalupa

by Vianney A. Gavilanes
The Chalupa is a well-known character from a Spanish card game. This piece gives us an insight into her and the writer's identity.

Crossing / Assimilation

Things I'll Never Say

by Ingrid Hernandez
A story about feeling silenced.

America

by Angel Ku
A poem conveying thoughts and feelings about America.

First Car Ride in America and Geography Class

by Fermín Mendoza
Experience and emotions in assimilating to U.S. life and culture.

The Blonde

by Rocio
A three-part love story between a man and America.

Thanksgiving

by Grace Lee
Memories of home, family and Thanksgiving.

A Conversation with America

by Emmanuel Mendoza
A conversation with America expressed through a poem.

Family / Identity

The Great Fires

by Perla Flores
A poem about family, faith and the destructive nature of human beings.

Name

by Jirayut Latthi
A poem surfacing the identity hidden behind each syllable of a name.

Segundos

by Irving Pineda
A poem about a brave mother standing firm to her values.

Living the Trailer Lifestyle

by Gabriela Monico
A family visit brings back difficult memories.

My Name is Ana

by Ana Cancino
About family names and reclaiming identity.

Direction Matters?

by Edanet Rodriguez
A poem about living living on the  border of two polarized towns.

Story About my Parents

by Mario Lio
A three-part narrative about childhood memories and family relations.

Untitled

by Jose Mora
A poem about coming to terms with one's name and understanding identity.

Challenges / Opportunities

Driving While Undocumented

by Julio Navarrete
A story about getting pulled over and interrogated in the middle of Nevada.

Passage to a Strange Land

 by Denisse
A heartbreaking story about being torn from your life and the realities of getting deported.

A Knock on the Door

by Nadia
A knock on the door causes Nadia to relive the experience of seeing her loved ones get deported.

Traffic Lights

by Steve Li
Time slows down when Steve is detained by immigration for over 60 days.

Donut Holes

by Catherine Eusebio
An innocent night out with friends turns sour when police ask the group for identification.

Walk of Life

by Liliana Campos
About the difficulties of obtaining employment.

Suitcase

by Zulma Alejandra
About the realities of losing a loved one to deportation.

La Marea & Suicidio

by Andrea Torres
Two poems about love and longing.

My Nights at Eshleman

by Gabriela Monico
A story about being homeless in order to afford university tuition.

Dreams

by Mario Lio
A story about the subconscious fears that live with most undocumented people.

Activism / Legalizing

Dear Immigration Officer

by Liliana Campos
A letter to an immigration officer about the hundreds of thousands of dreams that have yet to reach his hands.

The Awakening

by Jessica Hyejin Lee
A vivid poem about family, hope, fear, dignity and revolution.

Aniversario & Reasons

by Vianney A. Gavilanes
Two poems about Vianney's 20 year anniversary of being in the U.S., and reasons for writing.

Welcome to the United States of America

by Krsna Avila
A story about the conflicting experience of attaining legal status.

Ode to the Disillusioned Activist

by Irving Pineda
A candid ode to the disillusioned activist.