Junior Aisha Morillo was forced to leave her once calm life in Venezuela after political troubles.
The “corrupt” Venezuelan government made it necessary for her to leave the country, she says. “Militaries were threatening my family with death,” she said. After the military threatened to kill her and her family, Aisha, her father, and her older sister decided it was time to pursue a new life in America.
On her way to Maryland, Aisha traveled through Colombia and Mexico.
Once in Mexico, Aisha and her family experienced a major obstacle. She was traveling with her dad and sister, but unfortunately, only two of them were able to cross the border.
After months in Mexico, Aisha’s sister was not able to cross the border into America.
“I was going to be able to pass with my father, but my sister couldn’t,” she said. “She was going to stay in a detention center for immigrants.”
When Aisha arrived in Maryland, she was not able to speak much English. She was placed into ESOL classes so she could improve her English, she says. Now, Aisha says she is able to speak English very well after four years in the program.
Still currently in ESOL, Aisha speaks of the program highly. “It feels very warm and welcoming,” she said. “It helps [immigrants] feel comfortable and makes them learn more about the culture here in the United States.”
Aisha says her life in America is much better than her life in Venezuela. Although Aisha misses her country, she feels connected to America because of the “better life” she lives in Maryland.
