Maria's Journey

Born into the Mexican Revolution, Maria Perez entered into an arranged marriage at age fourteen to Miguel Arredondo. The couple and their tiny daughter immigrated to the United States in the 1920's, living in a boxcar while Miguel worked for the Texas Railroad and eventually, settling in East Chicago, Indiana, where Miguel worked for Inland Steel. Their story includes much of early-twentieth-century America: the rise of unions, the plunge into the Great Depression, the patriotism of WWII, and the starkness of McCarthyism. Immigration status colors every scene, adding to their story deportation and citizenship, and a miraculous message of hope.