The Nuevo Leon restaurant is a landmark in
Chicago
's Pilsen neighborhood. We went there and spoke with three Mexican immigrants about their different experiences and their connections back home.
Analia Rodriguez is originally from Vincente Guerrero, it's in northern
Mexico
in the state of
Durango
. She came to the
U.S.
when she was 17 after her father got green cards for her the rest of her family. She's 29 now. Analia went to
Columbia
College
for photography and now teaches photography in Chicago Public Schools.
Luis is 31 and originally from
Mexico City
. He's undocumented and came to the
Chicago
9 years ago with the hopes of attending a university in the
U.S.
But as an illegal immigrant not fluent in English, he found this tough to do. He now works in a restaurant in
Chicago
.
Also joining us was Teresa Lopez. She's also from
Mexico City
. She's a long time waitress at Nuevo
Leon
. Teresa has been living in the
U.S.
for 33 years and became a citizen in 1985. She says that she came to the
U.S.
for better wages and because it is less dangerous here.
Both Analia and Luis want to someday return to live in
Mexico
, but Teresa says she's here to stay. Analia explains why so many Mexicans in the
U.S.
want to go back or retire there.
