Proud Daughter of Immigrants from Mexico | Jessica Hinojos | TEDxYouth@ParkCity

Jessica Hinojos’s Parents’ Story

Jessica Hinojos shares her parents’ story to challenge labels such as “undocumented,” “illegal,” and “criminal” that are often applied to immigrants.

Her parents grew up in Mexico with close families and fond memories, despite having little and working in the fields. Around age 18, they left because they struggled to afford basic necessities and hoped to find better opportunities.

Hinojos says her mother crossed the border with documentation. Her father crossed with his brother on a difficult journey. At one point, they were crowded into a truck beneath a plastic sheet, and her father nearly suffocated. She cites an estimate that about 7,216 people died trying to cross the border between 1998 and 2017.

Her Parents’ Work and Sacrifice

Hinojos describes her parents’ ongoing hard work. Her mother cleans houses and comes home with bruised knees. Her father maintains hotel rooms and injures his hands and legs while doing repairs. Their work provides for the family and gives Hinojos and her sister opportunities their parents did not have.

She argues that immigrants like her parents deserve respect and should not be stereotyped as lazy or accused of stealing jobs.

Hinojos’s Goals

Hinojos promises to work hard at school, pursue scholarships, graduate from high school and college, and become an immigration lawyer. Her goal is to make her parents proud and help ensure their sacrifices lead to a better life.

Presenter: Jessica Hinojos