Introduction to a Difficult Decision
Despite his undocumented status, Francisco Hernandez-Corona, 34, and his U.S. citizen husband, Irving Hernandez-Corona, never thought they would leave the United States, but the new administration came into office and changed all that this January.
Fears and Insecurities
“We started seeing ICE everywhere and people sent to El Salvador,” said Francisco. “There would be knocks at the door and he (Francisco) would be scared and be terrified,” said Irving. “It was never our intention to leave under these circumstances. We left, basically fleeing.”
A New Home in Mexico
They fled to Mexico’s west coast, flying into Puerto Vallarta three weeks ago, where they say they finally felt safe and wanted. “(Mexicans) all were saying, welcome back home! You belong here,” said Francisco. The warm welcome was greatly appreciated, but they still felt sad leaving behind their family in the United States.
Reflecting on the Past
The couple had just celebrated a milestone — married last fall after three years of dating. Francisco graduated from Harvard, where he studied clinical psychology and graduated in 2013. It had not been an easy road to get there. “The worst three days of my life, I remember every moment walking through the desert,” said Francisco, whose father sent him to cross through the desert with a “coyote,” a migrant smuggler, when he was only 10 years old.
Challenges and Triumphs
His family settled in Lennox, a small city near LAX, where Francisco excelled in school and was accepted to Harvard in 2009. Around that time, he was hit with another challenge. “My mom died my senior year of high school,” said Francisco. His mother lost her battle with a rare disease just months before he graduated.
Immigration Status and Its Implications
After graduation, he applied for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) under former President Barack Obama. Then he filed for a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) visa, for women and children who are abuse victims. He was allowed to apply, but processing those visas are delayed by more than a decade. Adding to his trouble, Francisco faced a permanent bar from the U.S. since he crossed into the U.S. illegally.
The Decision to Leave
Lawyers told them to cancel their honeymoon to Puerto Rico, fearing Francisco might get detained. That’s when the couple decided to self-deport. “That’s when I looked at him and said, ‘Then, I guess we have to leave,’" said Francisco. “There isn’t any reason for us to stay here.” “It’s such a hateful place, a hateful environment,” said Irving.
New Life in Mexico
Now living in Mexico, they are trying to figure out the next steps and are grateful to still be working remote jobs from the U.S. Francisco hopes to visit the Mexican grave where his mother was interred after she died in Los Angeles. He has never seen it in person, but worries that he will feel guilt that he failed to fulfill his dying mother’s wish.
Looking to the Future
Francisco said he hopes one day to come to return to the United States, raise children with Irving and hopefully send them to Harvard. “She said, ‘I will die here so that you and your sisters could have a better life, so that you and your sisters could have the life that I’ve never had,’" he said.
Conclusion
The story of Francisco and Irving serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in the United States. Despite achieving great success, such as graduating from Harvard, the threat of deportation and the uncertainty of their status can lead to difficult decisions, including self-deportation. Their hope for a future where they can return to the U.S. and build a life together highlights the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Francisco and Irving decide to leave the United States?
A: They decided to leave due to the fear of deportation and the hostile environment they felt under the new administration. - Q: What is Francisco’s educational background?
A: Francisco graduated from Harvard, where he studied clinical psychology. - Q: What challenges did Francisco face due to his immigration status?
A: Francisco faced a permanent bar from the U.S. since he crossed into the U.S. illegally and had difficulties with his DACA and VAWA visa applications. - Q: Where are Francisco and Irving currently living?
A: They are currently living in Mexico, on the west coast, in Puerto Vallarta. - Q: What are their hopes for the future?
A: They hope to one day return to the United States, raise children, and send them to Harvard.
