The Border Between a Struggle and a Dream: The Life of An Aspiring Immigrant

Orlando Vite has been through trials unlike many musicians in the United States. He has a story that goes beyond music, and doesn't take things for granted. The purpose of the interviews I did with him was to offer a different perspective from someone who is determined to do whatever it takes, not only to be successful, but to become a citizen and have the luxury of freedoms many Americans don't appreciate.

 Orlando discussed many loves for music during our visit at his work office. His curiosity is to learn all genres music, from jazz to classical, heavy metal to hip-hop. Other than being an expert on guitar he can play drums, bass guitar and some piano.He said that he loves to play a game called "Rocksmith," a hybrid version of the first interactive games such as "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band." Toward the back of his office where he currently lives, he showed me the many ways you can jam by plugging in a real guitar and setting it to whatever type of genre, key, and scale you want to play in. His skills at transitioning from one type of scale/style to the other were outstanding.

Orlando is currently working with local musicians to form a cover band that will compete to play with other bands at popular chain bars/restaurants in the Dallas area. He believes this is one step to getting back on the stage like he did in Mexico 16 years ago.


While hearing Orlando's story and following him on a "day in the life" at his office, listening to his exceptional musical talents, and watching him in the field selling and setting up signs, I felt myself asking, "What do I do everyday? Do I wake up giving the most I have, or the minimum to get by? How would life be if the freedom to do and be what I want to be is no longer an option?"

After hearing this story yourself, what would you do to obtain citizenship in a country of opportunity? Would you stay in your country and do your best, hoping you can get paid enough to live on or do a job you actually want? Would you ignore the threats and dangers of your unstable homeland? Or, would you take your chances at living a dream of freedom and opportunity, and how would you go about obtaining a legal status if you did?

Thank you for reading and listening today.