Guadalupe Fernandez, Tahirih Policy and Advocacy Manager in Houston, spoke to the Houston Chronicle on how the eviction crisis has impacted immigrant survivors and the urgent need for a grace period ordinance.
Fernandez said:
“The city is saying, ‘We’ll take a look at it,’ but the deadline has passed. Rent is due next week. Even if the city finally chooses to put it on the agenda next week, it’s too late.”
I came to the U.S. in the winter of 2006. Life back home in Mexico was tough for me and my family. I dreamt of going to college and graduating but with my family’s economic status, that dream was too costly and impossible.
At least I was able to graduate high school and that is something I am proud of since I was also working at the time to help my family. I was always looking for an opportunity to have a better life as a young woman.
“I hope my story is helpful to someone else…and can inspire many women to be stronger. We need to help young women identify toxic relationships, so that there are fewer Camilas that go through such difficult things, let alone have our children suffer.”
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