Can you imagine what it feels like to never be able to go back “home” from your travels? But to also have left that home because it just didn’t feel like home anymore. That is Josseline’s story. Born to Mexican undocumented immigrants in the US, Josseline grew up “American”. 

Her mother left the US when US immigration officers started clamping down on undocumented people and the US started to feel less and less like home for Josseline. She was also trapped by her status under the DACA act and had to make a decision to leave the US for good and finally get to see her mom again, or stay for good accepting that she would likely not see her mother again, unless something changed in one of their statuses. 

Josseline’s background 

Josseline was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and moved to the United States illegally with her parents as a child. The US became the only home she knew. Her mother was always careful and even tried to make sure Josseline’s attendance in the special ed class in school wasn’t on her record for fear it would impact her case in getting a greencard in the future. 

DACA 

DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an act to help children of undocumented immigrants. Josseline describes it as an amnesty for anyone who entered the country illegally below a certain age. It would allow them to work legally. In some states DACA recipients can apply for a driving licence too. At first this was not an option in Arizona where Josseline grew up so for 2 years she wasn’t entitled to apply for a driving licence. 

The process to apply for DACA is expensive and often requires a lawyer, which Josseline was fortunate to have access to. She says she knew many families who didn't have this privilege. 

DACA is dependent on recipients not committing any crimes and reapplying every 2 years. They are also not entitled to a passport and if they leave the US they cannot reenter.  

Why leave?

Josseline had a hard time after her mother left and wasn’t happy in the US. She was living with her sister and they weren’t getting along. She also found out that a lot of her friends were pro-Trump and anti-immigration. They didn't realise Josseline’s story. 

Coming home to Mexico 

When Josseline moved to Mexico things still weren’t plain sailing. She didn’t have a Mexican passport so had to apply for one. This process was really tough and Josseline had to jump through hoops to provide the passport office with sufficient evidence that she was entitled to a Mexican passport. 

Since recording this podcast I am delighted to share that Josseline has officially gotten her Mexican passport!

Other people in Josseline’s position 

Josseline says that she hasn't met other people in her position. A lot of people who got DACA stayed in the US. There is a small movement of US citizens renouncing their citizenship and moving elsewhere but they are in a different situation. 

Josseline’s future travels 

Josseline says that after she gets her passport she would love to travel abroad more and is particularly excited to see Germany, Japan and Ecuador. She says she isn’t a fan of sightseeing but prefers doing stuff. She recently got certified to skydive and the next thing she wants to do is to base jump, which is jumping off a high place and using a parachute. She wants to jump in different places around the world. 

Links and info:

Josseline’s Instagram @josselinearellano 

Josseline’s favourite accommodation is called U-Co Roma and can be booked here.  

Contact the show: recipetotheroad@gmail.com or @recipetotheroad on Instagram and Tiktok.

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