Some Hope Pope's Message Will Resonate With Lawmakers
By Todd Quinones
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – As Pope Francis wraps up his trip to Cuba, he called on Cubans to overcome resistance to change.
It's a message some immigrants in America hope will resonate with lawmakers.
Picking her son up from school, now part of a typical day for Rosa Murcia-Garcia in her not so typical American life.
"When we come here we don't really think that it's going to be difficult. We think I guess that good things are going to happen immediately, which that's not the case."
In 2000 Rosa followed the path of so many others from Guatemala. She paid to be smuggled into this country as an undocumented immigrant.
Rosa's journey here was not an easy one. With her two young children at the time she had to cross the Mexican border to get into Texas. In order to do so, she had to go through a river, even though she didn't know how to swim. She says her only motivation as to find a better life for her kids.
With the Pope addressing Congress and expectations he will address immigration at some point during his trip to the U.S., Rosa is hoping immigrants like her will gain a louder voice with policymakers.
"We believe in God and we believe in Pope Francis," she said.
"That's my hope that they will change their hearts and think different and be more compassionate."
Rosa has worked her way through the system and in January she became a citizen.
But during much of her time here, she lived in the shadows with the constant fear of deportation.
"As soon as you get to the other side of the river, it's not like you're safe."
Today she's an administrative assistant with the Sisters of St. Joseph Welcome Center in Kensington, which among other things teaches English learning classes to immigrants.
For the sisters here, Rosa's story of struggle, faith and determination is not uncommon.
"The people who are so anti-immigrant don't know immigrants. If they had the opportunity to meet someone, to hear their story, I think their hearts could be changed," said Sister Connie Trainor.
