Interview with Deborah Peters

Deborah Peters is the author of An Immigrant's Tale: From Freedom To Slavery In The 21st Century. The book is available on Kindle.

 

Lyndon Baptiste: Who is Deborah Peters?

Deborah Peters: Deborah is just any ordinary woman who’s made many mistakes in her life that has negatively impacted not only her own but also her children’s lives. It does not mean that she is not a responsible, ambitious and passionate person because she is that and much more. She loves life and living and loves her children more than anything else in this world.

Lyndon: This is your first book?

Deborah: Yes. It's called An Immigrant’s Tale-From Freedom to Slavery in the 21st Century. It's kind of autobiography with snippets of other immigrant experiences included. After my first trip to Trinidad, I sat down and thought about all that I experienced to get to that point. I became very angry and thought if I could document it all it could be a form of therapy to help disseminate the anger I had inside me. Once I had most of it out in it raw form I decided to make it into a story to share with those like myself so they won’t make some of the same mistakes that I did.

Lyndon: What's the gist of the story?

Deborah: [Debbie] had eventually received her Green Card after 23 years in America. It was a long, hard road of never ending twists and turns but it did finally arrive. It was after she returned from her first trip back to her country of Trinidad in the Caribbean that she sat and thought about all she’d suffered to get it, that she decided she should document her nightmare. In a way, she started writing it as some therapeutic remedy but as it evolved she decided that her story should be shared with others.

Lyndon: Your intended audience?

Deborah: Hopefully it will be a big hit amongst West Indians and fellow immigrants in the US, better yet prospective immigrants. I really feel it should become part of the school curriculum for high school students, and could be a vital source for immigrant assistance organisations.

Lyndon: Did you enjoy writing it?

Deborah: None of it was enjoyable I’m sorry to say. It was a bitter truth that should be shared with others. America is not what they make foreigners believe. It is a cold, callus land occupied by greedy, heartless human beings that prey on each other to get ahead.

Lyndon: I read of the horrors you experienced and couldn't help but think that most Trinidadians believe a person is moving on to bigger, better things when they leave Trinidad to work in America. Is it that you were an unlucky immigrant?

Deborah: No. Actually, if anything I am an extremely lucky immigrant. If not for my smarts and appearance things might not have turned out as positively as it has. Most islanders come to America and end up as nannies, housekeepers and those that get jobs most are nurses. Do you see the trend? It’s a slavery mentality. To break into their corporate world as I did was almost unheard of and to succeed as I have I might be one of the very few that have.

Lyndon: I'm curious: what you experienced as an immigrant going through the system years ago; is this bitter cycle still alive?

Deborah: It is even worse now, especially since 9/11. It’s so bad that many illegal immigrants who in pre 9/11 days could still survive, today they absolutely can’t. What has resulted is that many have returned and are still returning to their own countries disillusioned and broke. It could be close to a mass exodus if you really think about it.

Lyndon: I asked because you recommended your book to prospective immigrants. Are you trying to save others?

Deborah: Absolutely! Anyone intending to migrate should do their own research as to the requirements before even making such a hasty move. Don’t listen to anyone here that tells them it’s easy. It’s not. Those that encourage you to come, if they don’t work for the USCIS, don’t listen to them!

Lyndon: In terms of treatment, struggles and coping, is there anything that sets the Caribbean immigrant's experience apart from others?

Deborah: No. Every immigrant faces the same struggles. It will be slightly easier for those of us who speak English well. Those that English is a second language face many more barriers.

Lyndon: You're very frank in your writing. Another writer might have chosen to disguise this as a work of fiction. But you didn't; even with the risk of losing the sympathies or affections of some readers.

Deborah: I am who I am. Those that know me know I won’t disguise or sugar coat my words. None of it is false. If the truth offends then so be it. We all have to live our own demons.

Lyndon: You detail the struggle but speak briefly about the rewards. You have your greencard; was it worth it?

Deborah: In my own situation, the only difference having the green card makes is that I am able to leave the country and return without event. I still am unable to say whether or not it was worth it. I still feel it wasn’t. The price was too high.

Lyndon: To write such a story after accomplishing what you set out to could be frowned upon.

Deborah: I’ve accomplished nothing that I set out to. Years of oppression has resulted in simply surviving. I had bigger ambitions for my life and for my children’s lives.

Lyndon: Now that you've written the story, have you found redemption?

Deborah: I will find that when I know that my story has helped at least one person in their own struggle.

Lyndon: Any closing remarks for immigrants or those in authority who can make a positive impact in the struggle to the bigger better picture?

Deborah: Unfortunately, it’s a cold and cruel world. There aren’t any in authority that are willing to help. The more ignorant we are the better for them. There are many immigrant fees paid that just go into a never ending pot with no resolution for the payee. Many immigrants pay fees that will never be refunded for applications that will never come to fruition. Those in authority will not advise them of the truth because if immigrants were versed in what they need to do, what would be the use for them? Their own jobs will be in jeopardy and the income from the fees paid that contributes to their salaries will diminish.

For immigrants – understand that you are not alone in your struggle and quest to become a resident of the United States of America. There are many of us like you. We may suffer different version of struggles but in the final analysis it is the same struggle with the same goal in mind.