PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Wendy Veintimilla, Member of the Public, on Immigrant Experiences and Concerns
4:27:18
ยท
4 min
Wendy Veintimilla, an immigrant from Ecuador, shared her personal story of fleeing her country due to torture and threats, and her experiences as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. She highlighted the challenges faced by immigrants and expressed fears about the potential impact of the new presidential administration on immigrant communities.
- Veintimilla described being exploited by employers and having to work in difficult conditions to avoid being a burden on the country.
- She emphasized the need for support from the City Council, including assistance in obtaining legal status and protection from deportation.
- Veintimilla called for the opportunity to contribute to society through paying taxes and living freely without fear.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:27:18
My name is I'm from Ecuador.
4:27:24
I've been here in this country for 2
Ximena Bustamante
4:27:26
years.
4:27:27
Unfortunately.
4:27:30
I'm still alive.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:27:31
Because I had to
Ximena Bustamante
4:27:32
flee my because
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:27:33
of everything.
4:27:35
I was tortured.
4:27:36
I was threatened.
4:27:40
I came with, my husband's family.
4:27:44
I left
Ximena Bustamante
4:27:45
my family.
4:27:46
My
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:27:51
I had a position I had my own business.
Alexa Aviles
4:27:57
Whoever's phone, please silence all devices.
4:28:00
Thank you.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:28:07
I I work for the government for crossed the border.
4:28:30
16 people.
4:28:40
I was able to get acquainted with the
Ximena Bustamante
4:28:41
justice project.
4:28:44
To
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:28:46
be able to denounce.
4:28:51
Stole from
Ximena Bustamante
4:28:52
more than 50.
4:28:55
The men, they stole lower wages.
4:28:57
It was a you
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:29:00
didn't know, but we had to be
Ximena Bustamante
4:29:04
and to pay for food.
4:29:09
For family.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:29:11
Obviously, old expenses.
4:29:14
Because you have to
Manuel Castro
4:29:15
work in You
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:29:17
don't want to be a burden.
4:29:21
We were never a burden in the world country.
4:29:37
We don't know what's gonna
Ximena Bustamante
4:29:38
happen with
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:29:39
the new president.
4:29:42
Everybody's afraid.
4:29:44
We don't know.
4:29:47
So I want to ask.
4:29:54
We need the support.
4:29:58
To be able to count with the status the necessary
Ximena Bustamante
4:30:02
ourselves.
4:30:03
But also
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:30:06
we are not the target of deportation.
4:30:13
A lot of us.
4:30:14
We are afraid to continue living here.
4:30:20
To just to think about going back to our country to die there because situation is really hard.
Shahana K. Hanif
4:30:46
Taxes.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:30:47
So we can give back, so we can pay taxes that is necessary.
Leidis De La Rosa
4:30:53
But
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:30:53
council members demand.
4:30:56
Want you to help us.
Justin Srey
4:31:16
Hiding.
Darnell Benoit
4:31:20
To go out.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:31:21
We wanna be free
Alexa Aviles
4:31:23
like Yeah.
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:31:24
With nothing bad happening
Aracelis Lucero
4:31:25
to us.
UNKNOWN
4:31:27
God feel
Wendy Veintimilla (via Spanish Interpreter)
4:31:29
and harmony.
4:31:45
To give
Aracelis Lucero
4:31:46
back to
Alexa Aviles
4:31:51
us.
4:31:52
Thank you.