Henderson woman writes book about immigration

Being smuggled into the United States at 5 years old by a smuggler who sexually assaulted her, watching her parents struggle to obtain citizenship and then working 19 years as an immigration officer has given Victoria Galan a dualistic perspective of immigration issues.

"I am an American," Galan said. "But I cannot forget where I come from."

Galan, a Henderson resident, tries to capture these feelings in her book, "Forever Illegal."

Galan was born in Mexico City and doesn't know why her parents wanted to come to the United States.

They ended up in California after crossing the border. The price came high for Galan, who said she was raped by the man paid to smuggle her family.

"It happens more often than you think," she said.

Galan was bused from her Hispanic community to a mostly white school.

"I went to school at Studio City Elementary S chool," Galan said. "It was a rich, white school. All the girls were dressed like Shirley Temple, and I was wearing rags. I hated being laughed at."

The hardest part was the language barrier, which caused Galan to hate school. She used that as motivation to learn English faster.

When she was transferred to a predominantly Hispanic school, she was able to help interpret for her teacher and class.

"It was almost like another wasted year, because instead of learning, I would have to interpret what the teacher was saying," Galan said.

While in school, her parents sought immigration status for the family.

"It took a while," Galan said. "They actually paid someone who didn't do it incorrectly."

After high school, Galan wanted to go to college but needed a way to pay for it.

She started working part time at the San Fernando Valley Bar Association while attending classes at a community college. Her job at the association was an entry-level position.

"I always had mentors to help me along the way," Galan said.

Her mentor there was her supervisor, Sharley Allen, who ran the family law center.

"She gives me more credit than I deserve," Allen said. "She had so much potential and just needed a little push."

Even though Allen loved having Galan working there, she encouraged her to look for better-paying jobs that had benefits.

"An opening at the immigration office opened up, and I was more than happy to give her a recommendation," Allen said.

Allen has remained a friend, and mentor, for the past 20 years.

Galan got a job as an immigration officer for Immigration and Naturalization Services, which she loved , despite frustrations.

Galan served INS when it was part of Department of Justice and witnessed it change over the years as most of its functions transferred to the Department of Homeland Security in 2002.

"I seldom called in sick," Galan said. "There is both good and bad, though."

Galan thinks the i mmigration office could do a better job helping immigrants.

"When your license is about to expire, you get a notice in the mail," Galan said. "But with your green card, you don't. Why don't we send notice?"

She also thinks it should be easier for people to walk in and get services at the immigration office .

Galan had to retire in 2010 because of back problems. During her recovery, she decided to write down her experiences, which transformed into the 172-page book.

Galan's book is to offer insight to undocumented immigrants, who don't understand why American citizens are frustrated with them , and Americans, who don't understand why a person might cross the border illegally.

"People criticize both sides," Galan said.

On one side, Galan thinks laws need to be better enforced.

"People find ways to abuse the system," Galan said. "People complain when we try to do our job."

Galan has seen times when officers try to be accommodating to people.

"Like if someone has a flight to catch the officer might rush through the check," Galan said. "I don't care if you have a flight. The checks need to be done properly."

On the other side, Galan knows many Americans would make the same choices to protect their families .

"A lot of times, people are coming here because there is corruption in their country," Galan said. "You would do the exact same."

Galan hopes to encourage undocumented immigrants that there are ways to find citizenship.

She warns that there are attorneys and advocates who claim to help but actually cause more harm.

"So many try to become legal and are robbed by lawyers," Galan said.

The book is saturated with stories of immigrants and the price, both literal and metaphoric, of a green card.

"One story that sticks out to me is this husband and wife," Galan said. "They were doing well. They had a nice house, set jobs. The only thing they needed was to become legal."

An American woman told the couple that if the husband divorced the wife and married her to obtain citizenship, he could later divorce her and go back to his wife.

"All three agreed to this arrangement," Galan said. "They all moved into her house."

But the undocumented woman's husband fell in love with the American woman he married and threw his former spouse out of the house.

"And she has been living on the streets ever since," Galan said. "That story stuck with me."

Galan also writes about her experience as an undocumented immigrant.

"All this time, I never knew," Allen said. "She never mentioned anything from her past. I admire her strength to be able to move on for that."

The chapter about being assaulted and smuggled across the border was the hardest chapter for Galan to write.

"One night (while writing), I just cried and cried and cried," Galan said.

She doesn't remember many of the events and has tried to talk about them with her family.

"I tried to ask my brother," Galan said. "He just responded, 'That chapter in my life is closed.' "

But Galan plans to keep asking questions. In the meantime, she wants to share her story with as many people as possible.

For more information about the book, visit mirasmarts hop.com.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.