| | |  Editorials | Opinions 
Immigrants, Community Gain Strength Through Competition
 Mark Alvarez - PVNN
February 28, 2010
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 |  | Immigrants are part of the solution to economic, societal and moral challenges. For their good, and ours, let's understand and welcome these strangers in our midst. |  | | |
Amid the nastiness of politics, immigrants strive for better lives.
Most Utah immigrants speak Spanish. Recent Census Bureau statistics for Salt Lake City indicate that 16.8 percent of people over the age of 5 speak Spanish at home. This amounts to more than 28,000 people. Across Salt Lake County, the number rises to 106,000. Interestingly, most Spanish speakers either know English or want to learn.
Every other Saturday on the third floor of the Salt Lake City Main Library, people get together for an intercambio - language practice alternating between English and Spanish. The conversation is mostly intermediate level.
Learning a language is difficult, especially for adults. However, through struggle with vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, people progress. Language learners appreciate the difficulty of mastering accents and respect those who try.
Several weeks ago, Fabiola told her story in accented English. Fabiola grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. As an adult, she moved to Tijuana. She worked 14-hour days to support herself and her three children.
Several years ago, Fabiola decided to come to the U.S., work hard for two years, save some money and then return to Mexico. Her mother had told her that the U.S. provided opportunities for everyone.
Fabiola arrived in Utah on Labor Day. She had problems. Her English was poor. Fabiola thought about going back to her country. But then she considered sacrifices her family had made to help her come with her children. She decided to tough it out.
Fabiola knew she needed to learn English. Fabiola looked for options and came across Guadalupe Schools. There, she studied English and other skills, including establishing credit and saving money.
Fabiola dreamed of having her own company. Teachers at Guadalupe told Fabiola her savings could be matched three times for a small business. While she did not believe it, Fabiola saved for two years.
Fabiola attended classes at the Pete Suazo Business Center. She got advice and wrote a business plan. At the end to her surprise, Fabiola received the money she had been promised.
Today, Fabiola runs her own business. Work is often demanding, and Fabiola must perform myriad tasks. Nevertheless, she supports herself and her family. Fabiola is proud that the business also helps seven employees support themselves and their families. She is determined to achieve even higher goals.
In March, Fabiola will speak at the Guadalupe Schools luncheon.
She plans to thank all her teachers and tutors by name. Then she will tell her story, which stems from dreams, hard work and a refusal to quit. Sometime next year, Fabiola will take the U.S. Oath of Citizenship.
Beyond immigration statistics, laws and debate are human stories.
Many resemble this one. Immigrants are part of the solution to economic, societal and moral challenges. For their good, and ours, let's understand and welcome these strangers in our midst.
Mark Alvarez is a Salt Lake City attorney and a member of the city Library Board. He co-hosts a Spanish-language radio show. |
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