Angel, a 51-year-old day laborer in Berkeley, highlights the struggles of undocumented workers amidst strict immigration policies. Despite his fears of enforcement, he chooses to work to support his family in Mexico, where cartel violence forced him to leave. He expresses sorrow over the separation from his loved ones and the loneliness he feels in the U.S. Angel’s story reflects the broader challenges faced by Latino migrant workers seeking safety and stability while risking their safety to provide for their families.
"Here, you have enough money, even with the little work you get, and you're not being pressured by the cartels." Angel expressed his apprehension about returning home.
"It's very difficult," Angel said. "What I miss about Mexico is my family, the sun's heat, and the unity I felt there. Here, you're basically alone."
Angel decided to leave the country after being robbed and stabbed three times in the abdomen, highlighting the violence and poverty he fled.
Executive orders cracking down on immigration in the first month of President Donald Trump's second term have heightened this anxiety for undocumented community members in Berkeley and beyond.
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