BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

Was surprised to see this story featured on the bbc.co.uk homepage
watch the video at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18958170


23 July 2012 Last updated at 21:40 ET

Work isn't the only thing that's hard to find for undocumented immigrants in the US - so is love.

Angy Rivera, a 21-year-old student, realised two years ago that the political debate about illegal immigration and its impact on American life ignored a big part of the effect on the undocumented themselves: the emotional toll on social life and on the search for love.

For young Americans who came to the US illegally, even as children, dating can be a serious challenge: How to get into the club without proof of age? How to speak with a date about vague career plans?

What happens if he wants to take a holiday abroad? And the big question: whether - and how - to tell a date about one's immigration status?

Every week Rivera answers questions like that in her online column Ask Angy and in her online videos.

The BBC spent the day with Angy and her friends, dealing with the usual problems of youth, love and friendship without papers.

Produced by Anna Bressanin, Camera by Ilya Shnitser

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

I must admit my situation had gotten in the way with my past relationships.
Especially, when your ex-girlfriend's parents got involved. They look at you like youre not worthy for their daughter.


Fcken beetchees! :)

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

umm for the getting into a club... you can show your passport

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

Yea...I don't have experience with relationship dilemmas..but definitely have experience trying to explain ambiguous career plans and my perpetual unemployment

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

Of course being undocumented affected social life...its tough to simply not have a license to drive people or go to hang outs. You always have to look for a ride. The lack of job also means you dont have the money to spend on yourself, much less someone else.

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

Yea, because showing your passport at a club is awesome.

If I went into the club with a passport, I would not have fun. I would worry and check if I still have my passport lol.

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

i definitely got asked many times:
1) do you have a driver license yet? (My answer: i don't have the time to take the test yet.)
2) have you applied to citizenship? (My answer: oh i have, and my mom helped me to take care of everything, so i don't know much of the details.)
3) so you graduated from college. what do you do now? (My answer: i am looking for a job now!)
4) do you have a girlfriend yet? (My answer: i have yet met someone i like <-(that's totally not true...))

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

My common answer:
My {insert legal document} is pending/lost/expired. Nothing more to say after that.

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

you need to get a passport holder that can look sort of like a wallet. Keep the passport in the holder so that you only have to flip it open to show the picture. No one who is with you will even know you are showing your passport if you do it discreetly.

Re: BBC - Undocumented immigrants looking for Love
 

Never heard about it, I'll look into it. This is one of the reasons why I barely go out drinking or clubbing.I am honestly embarrassed of showing my passport or this Colombian NY Embassy ID I carry when I am out with my friends.