Claudia Garcia spends her days helping others but when she goes home she said she feels helpless.
“It’s difficult to explain the feeling to someone,” said Garcia. “If you’re not in that situation you will never know the feeling.”
Garcia, who is an American citizen, has lived with the fear that her mother—who is here illegally—could be taken away at any moment.
She said, now, she is even more worried because of the recent ‘crackdown’ on illegal immigration.
“I don’t remember my parents being as worried as they are now,” said Garcia.
Garcia’s mother, we will conceal her identity to protect her, said the comments by Governor Rick Perry to crackdown on sanctuary cities has left her feeling like there is no hope for her or any other immigrant living illegally in the U.S.
“I don’t have any documents and I won’t have any liberty to walk the streets because they might ask me for my papers,” said Garcia’s mother.
Garcia said if law enforcement really starts to police the area and her mother does get deported-- she will not have anyone.
“She doesn’t have any family in Mexico,” said Garcia.
Garcia’s mother said she realizes she is breaking the law by being here illegally, but came for a better life. She said she does not know any other way but the American Way.
Garcia said they have always been taught by both her mother and father to respect the constitution ---because that is the reason they are able to have the freedoms they have.
She said, lately, it does not seem like they have much freedom.
“It’s so ridiculous how the government does these things,” said Garcia. “We were so proud of freedoms and rights---it just seems like every single law that is coming up recently it so unconstitutional. “
As the possibility of Garcia’s mother being deported looms over the family---Garcia said all she can do is hope and pray for the best.