In the late 1980s, a man traveled thousands of miles away from his family in search of opportunity and a better life to provide for his loved ones. That man was my father, Alfredo Montoya.
He journeyed from his “rancho” (a large parcels of land where animals are raised) in Aguascalientes, Mexico to southern California in search of work. He found employment (often referred to as “chamba”) doing odd jobs such as a cook at a boardwalk seafood restaurant, laborer at a bee farm and work in the fields packaging strawberries.
Through the Immigration, Reform, and Control Act enacted by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, my father was able to apply for legal residency status. He brought my mother north to California, and I was born shortly thereafter.
This is my father’s story in brief. I am immensely proud and grateful for my father’s story and sacrifice. Without his willingness to take risks, I would not be where I am today. For many, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our origins, take pride (or “orgullo”) in our cultures, savor delicious food and acknowledge the significant contributions of individuals from Spanish-speaking countries to the United States.
Stories like my father’s have become commonplace today, and it is crucial to recognize the difficulties and risks many people undertake in the pursuit of a better life – that is why we celebrate this month. Although my father is no longer with us, his memory and the values he instilled in me and my family ring louder this Hispanic Heritage Month.
