Immigration center named for Father Gary, 10th street

[fedupinwaukegan]

It has been 20 years since Maria Garcia immigrated to Waukegan from her native Mexico, and she is finally pursuing citizenship with the help of the Father Gary Graf Center. Garcia, who worked in a factory until a repetitive stress injury forced her to stop, is also studying English.

"When you don't speak English, it's hard to get a good job," she said through a translator.

I originally posted the article so that we could keep up with the news of Father Graf. I hope he is doing well in his new location.

I also felt it was interesting commentary that an immigrant can be here for 20 years and still not speak the language of the land. How isolated are they were a translator is still needed?

I can remember my great grandparents -all from other countries and immigrants. When I knew them they were bi-lingual and proud of it. As Maria pointed out -they were able to get very good jobs/businesses because of that skill.

Surely the center will stress getting citizenship, learning English and embracing both cultures. Maria is an example of what isolation can do.