StoryCorps Chicago: ‘Instead Of Making It A Secret, I Felt Like We Could Make It A Way For People To Know’

Rafael Robles and his sister, Karla Robles, came to the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Rafael Robles and his sister, Karla Robles, came to the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Rafael Robles and his sister, Karla Robles, came to the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Rafael Robles and his sister, Karla Robles, came to the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center.

StoryCorps Chicago: ‘Instead Of Making It A Secret, I Felt Like We Could Make It A Way For People To Know’

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

A while back, Karla Robles and her brother Rafael visited the StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center. Rafael is a college graduate, and he now works in real estate. Karla’s still in college. 

The two talked about the impact on their family when Rafael was arrested for being undocumented. Rafael was just turning nineteen, and their other brother was arrested with him. The experience led Rafael to speak up on immigration issues.

StoryCorps’ mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to share, record and preserve their stories. These excerpts, edited by WBEZ, present some of our favorites from the current visit, as well as from previous trips.