Quote

I was born in 1976. I grew up in a traditional Mexican family. As a child, I had a pretty normal life: I would go to school, play with my friends and cousins. But then my father became President of Mexico, and my life changed.

I feel like my life experience is that of an outsider. Let me explain: my parents are from Panama, and they moved to the United States the year after I was born. They moved into an all-white neighborhood, where the previous black family had a cross burned on their lawn.

On the surface, I've created a good life. I've lived the American dream. But I am still an undocumented immigrant.

I came from a middle-class family in Mexico, from a household full of women, in a country that is very machista.

I have been a foreigner all my life, first as a daughter of diplomats, then as a political refugee and now as an immigrant in the U.S. I have had to leave everything behind and start anew several times, and I have lost most of my extended family.

I have interviewed Hugo Chavez, Tim McVeigh, and hundreds of fascinating characters in South America, where I have lived for the past 15 years.

I've been extremely fortunate in my life. So I actually believe that I'm the living embodiment of living the American dream.

I come from a family of working people. My parents were Guatemalan immigrants who spent most of their lives in the service industry.

I'm a different immigrant. My life is so lucky compared to so many.

I have no idea how I'm perceived in America because I don't live the reality of America.