Venezuelan Migrant Diocelina Querales Hopes for a Better Future in Uncertain Times

Venezuelan Migrant Diocelina Querales Hopes for a Better Future in Uncertain Times

Venezuelan Migrant Diocelina Querales Hopes for a Better Future in Uncertain Times

In her Denver bedroom, Venezuelan migrant Diocelina Querales often finds herself reflecting on the twists her life has taken. Just a year ago, Diocelina was crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in search of safety and a chance to build a stable life, her family’s future resting on the strength of her determination. At 51, Diocelina doesn’t have the right to vote in the U.S., yet the upcoming elections weigh heavily on her mind, as she wonders how policy changes might reshape the life she’s trying so hard to create.

Since crossing the border, Diocelina’s life has transformed in ways she never imagined. In Venezuela, economic collapse drove millions, including her family, to leave their homes and risk dangerous journeys to the U.S. After crossing the Rio Grande and facing immense hardships, Diocelina and several family members finally made it to Denver, Colorado. For a while, they stayed in a migrant shelter, and soon she found work in a warehouse, grateful for the chance to earn and contribute. Now, she works long hours and uses her limited free time to create content on social media, hoping her efforts will grow into another means of supporting her family.

Also Read:

In the past year, her family has begun to find some stability, despite moments of unexpected violence that have made her question her surroundings. Life in Aurora, Colorado, where they first stayed, was marked by tension, and a shooting near their apartment forced them to relocate. In Denver, Diocelina and her family have found a more stable home, but she still worries about the future, especially as political discourse and policy debates around migrants grow tense. Former President Donald Trump’s comments on Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. worry her, casting a shadow of uncertainty over her dreams.

Diocelina’s family has already endured great loss. Her son, Ángel, was killed in Venezuela, a tragedy that still haunts her and motivates her to find a safer, more hopeful life for her remaining children and grandchildren. And although her mother, who lives with her in Denver, still dreams of returning to Venezuela one day, the family knows that may be impossible. With policies in Venezuela that restrict re-entry for citizens with expired passports, Diocelina fears her family’s separation may become permanent.

Through everything, Diocelina has become a symbol of resilience. Her days are filled with hard work, and she finds solace in small moments of hope—whether through her family’s Sunday gatherings, her time spent filming short videos to inspire others, or the self-help books she reads to keep a positive mindset. She dreams of a future where she can create a life of security and peace. As she tells those around her, there are “more hard workers than bad people” in her community, emphasizing her conviction that immigrants like her bring value to their new home.

Diocelina keeps moving forward, one step at a time, fueled by faith and the love of her family, in search of a brighter future for them all.

Read More:

Post a Comment

0 Comments