Although my mother’s family has lived in this area for a couple of generations, my father’s side of the family is “from away.”

In this case, my father came from Massachusetts. On my mother’s side of the family, we are an integration of different races. What they are is less important than knowing that there is more than one, including a native ancestor. On my father’s side, we have multiracial ancestry, also.

Following the death of my paternal grandmother in the 1990s, I learned more family history. I learned that my paternal grandfather’s ancestors are from Portugal. On arrival to the United States our last name was changed, or Americanized. I guess this was a common practice at the time.

Immigration reform is being debated in this country. Maine’s legislative delegation needs to support comprehensive immigration reform with a reasonable pathway to citizenship. We are talking about human beings whose lives and families depend on this.

Families are being torn apart by deportation and hiding in the shadows. Children are suffering, as are elders. Workers are being exploited.

When people cross U.S. borders, they do so in search of a better life. They come here with a dream, with a glimmer of hope. What we offer is discrimination, currently. Let’s not forget this nation’s shameful history of slavery.

We need to come together as a nation to forge a pathway to citizenship with all of the rights and responsibilities that entails.

Heidi Brooks, Lewiston