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In this story, Brenda* takes listeners inside her life as an "illegal immigrant" growing up in the United States. Brenda interviews her mother about why she brought her here, records an audio diary about her frustration with the slow pace of immigration reform, and meets with a teacher who encourages her to come back and finish high school even though her prospects for future employment are uncertain.
*MPR News agreed not to use her last name because she fears deportation
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Piece Description
In this story, Brenda* takes listeners inside her life as an "illegal immigrant" growing up in the United States. Brenda interviews her mother about why she brought her here, records an audio diary about her frustration with the slow pace of immigration reform, and meets with a teacher who encourages her to come back and finish high school even though her prospects for future employment are uncertain.
*MPR News agreed not to use her last name because she fears deportation
Broadcast History
Broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio 12/7/10
Transcript
There are an estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States.
For those who come over as children, entering adulthood presents a challenging time. They may feel like American teenagers, but there are constant reminders that they are not.
In this story from Minnesota Public Radio, one Minneapolis teen offers her view of what it's like to be here illegally.
MPR News agreed not to use Brenda's last name because she fears deportation.
Brenda script:
When people ask me where I'm from, I say Minnesota. I am from here. I came from Mexico when I was 7. I was carried over the border. It was nighttime, and I remember the path along the cliffs and a rattlesnake.
I'm 19 now. I live in Minneapolis with my mom, my stepdad, my older brother and his son, and my little brother and sister.
I help take care of the little kids, and I work second-shift in a fac...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:There are an estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States.
For those who come over as children, entering adulthood presents a challenging time. They may feel like American teenagers, but there are constant reminders that they are not.
In this story from Minnesota Public Radio, one Minneapolis teen offers her view of what it's like to be here illegally.
MPR News agreed not to use Brenda's last name because she fears deportation.
OUTRO:Minnesota Public Radio, which produced the story, agreed not to use Brenda's last name because she fears deportation.
Additional Credits
Edited by Bill Wareham
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Dylan Byrum
Posted on January 01, 2013 at 01:40 AM | Permalink
Review of "Coming of age 'illegal'"
Nineteen-year-old Brenda from Minneapolis, Minnesota considers herself an American citizen, but to the US government she is an illegal immigrant. Coming to the US when she was seven, she was carried over the Mexican-American border by her mother. Now, twelve years later, she lives with her mother, stepfather, sister, little brother, older brother and his son. She had to quit school a month before graduating so she could work to help support her family, but has since gone back to finish her education and wants to go on to get a job working with children.
This was a well-crafted and interesting piece, with great interviews and an inspiring story. The only problem I had was after the mother’s interview; it was a little confusing, but it made more since later on in the story. All in all, though, I found this to be an excellent presentation.