YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — Aron Bernal Sabino came to America because of poor conditions in Mexico, and for a better life.
"When growing up, whatever was hunted or fished, we ate," he told the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan (http://bit.ly/2cM4y9Y ). "Many times I went hungry."
Now a resident of Yankton, Sabino looks back on the long process of finding a new home.
In 2000, he entered the United States illegally and has since become legal.
"I crossed into the United States illegally, which now I know was wrong. I wanted to do the right thing and make it legal," he says.
He crossed the U.S. border near Nogales, Arizona, with a group of people.
"It was a hot afternoon," Aron said. "I had to climb and jump from a twelve-foot fence. I was scared."
He found out later that another group that had been nearby had been caught by the border patrol.
From there he traveled to Phoenix, then to Norfolk, Nebraska. His sister lived in Norfolk and arranged transportation across the country. When he arrived in Norfolk, his first job was roofing.
With the help of Justice for our Neighbors, Sabino received a work permit in 2012 and also with their help he started the process to become a legal citizen. Justice for our Neighbors educates, advocates and gives legal representation to immigrants.
He would have to renew his work permit each year, paving the way to citizenship. (He can apply for citizenship in 10 years and Sabino plans to do that.) His first step was to apply for and get approved for a waiver for the U.S. government to forgive him for crossing the border illegally. He received it.
The next step came in July of this year. Aron returned to Mexico and started the process to become a permanent resident. Sabino needed an immigration visa. He applied and received an interview date. On that date, he traveled back to Mexico to the U.S. embassy in Ciudad, Juarez.
On day one in Ciudad, Sabino had to get all his immunizations. On day two, he was fingerprinted.
Then came the day of decision: Day three.
First, an official went through all his paperwork, ensuring it was correct. After that step, Sabino was told to wait until his name was called.
"There were a lot of people in the waiting room, probably over a hundred," he said. "There were two doors, those that were approved and those who weren't."
While sitting in the waiting room, Sabino felt confident he'd exit the door for those who'd been approved.
When his name was called, he went inside a room. An interviewer asked him several questions. Are you married? How many kids do you have? Where did you illegally enter the United States and when? The interviewer looked at his file as he answered the questions. One wrong answer would terminate the process and he would be denied.
During the entire process, Sabino said, he prayed to God that he wouldn't be nervous. "I was surprised at how calm I was." Aron knew he passed when the interviewer drew a smiley face on his paper. "I was happy."
At the present time, Sabino's parents and his brothers live in Cuatro Bancos, Mexico. Sabino sends money back to them. He's concerned for them because there's a lot of violence, robbing, killing and beheading.
"It's happening all the time," Sabino says.
When Sabino thinks about America, he says this, "This country is blessed by God. America has a lot of things, that where I'm from doesn't have. In Mexico, a person can work all day, and still not have enough to feed a family."
Sabino is appreciative and grateful to be here to raise his family. He and his wife, Andrea, who was born in Yankton, have six kids.
"I thank Jesus for the blessing. I feel very happy and welcome in Yankton. It's a good place to raise my family and it has a lot of job opportunities," Sabino said.
He ends with saying, "It feels like home."
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Information from: Yankton Press and Dakotan, http://www.yankton.net/
An AP Member Exchange shared by the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan.
