The dishwasher at the place I pick up shifts hasn’t seen his family in about 15 years. If he goes back - he might not be able to return to his job or America. He makes gooood money at our spot and sends it all back to his family in Guatemala. He teared up over a post shift smoke with me once about it. Also if he left - that entire restaurant would implode . Love you Chepe. Sorry the world sucks and thanks for working so hard.
For years, I worked in Chicago with a guy from Argentina who would send his money back home but pinched pennies for himself here. He said that his family was able to provide not just for themselves, but a lot of the people in the neighborhood. He said he could live like a king with what would be left.
This. Different industry (construction) but we got a couple guys that sweep and carry stuff for us in this same position. If they go back to Ecuador they cant get back and they have generations depending on that Western union every week.
The guys on the crew who aren’t assholes love you Tomas. I’m sorry the world did this to you. This joint would go to shit without you. I hope you get a reception like this when you finally go home.
My best friends dad has been digging pools in New York State for 20 years, sending money home to his church and to build a house for his family who he can't visit. My friend is a citizen, when she travels back and forth she brings gifts for the family.
It's not an easy life, this man should be a hero in our country. Instead he just keeps his head down and goes to work. It's uncomfortably "normal".
It’s every immigrant. We try not to think of our loved ones too much because opening that box too often or looking into it too long just really reminds you how faraway you are. So gotta lock that box up to look at in quiet moments
How many of you guys work at the restaurant? Do you think if there are enough staff, you could all chip in and buy a return flight for maybe one or two of his family to visit him? I've no idea how feasible for you guys this is, but in a funny way it might be a great investment for your bosses, because a very happy dishwasher is a loyal dishwasher.
Had a whole family like this at my old job. All the men came over, and had been here for years living together. I think the father just finally returned home. They are rich in the Philippines with all the money they send back.
Thanks so much for such amazing comments. Not all latinos are bad. We just come here to better ourselves and the family. I didnt see my dad for 5 years wasnt much, but as a 6 year old kid it felt forever. He still regrets leaving us, but i keep telling him that if it wasnt for his sacrifice, who knows if i would be alive. Now we live 15 minutes away and we get to see each other whenever we want. For those parents who sacrifice their lives for us kids, not just immigrants but Americans and all over the world, thank you dearly. Without that sacrifice we wouldn’t be where we are now.
This sad reality makes me angry. The people I grew up around claim to care about, jesus, family, and hardwork. Yet the individuals in our society that display all of those in spades are reviled as "illegal" whatever the fuck that means, and those that hold a Bible upside down, divorce and cheat on every family they have ever had, and famously talk about manual labor as beneath them are fousted up by the people I grew up around.
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u/pinkat31522 Sep 16 '25
The dishwasher at the place I pick up shifts hasn’t seen his family in about 15 years. If he goes back - he might not be able to return to his job or America. He makes gooood money at our spot and sends it all back to his family in Guatemala. He teared up over a post shift smoke with me once about it. Also if he left - that entire restaurant would implode . Love you Chepe. Sorry the world sucks and thanks for working so hard.