My Fate in Someone Else's Hands

Edyta was born in 1974 in Poland.In 1995 she moved to the USA, and currently lives in Chicago.She graduated from New York Institute of Photography.Her works have been exhibited in numerous galleries.

Very little about our lives is constant or totally certain, and while we have control

over many things, we can’t control everything that happens to us...

I left Tarnow, Poland and arrived in Chicago in 1995. I have chosen this country and I love living here. This is my home; my children have been born here. America is the home I wanted for them.

I truly respect and appreciate this country; however immigration is not only a geographical change, it involves changes in all of the life aspects, including social, cultural, environmental, behavioral, and lifestyle, which causes several traumatic events that negatively impact the mental well-being of immigrants. Nobody’s future is certain, but immigrants face extra uncertainties due to the hazy half-and-half status we hold between our home and adopted countries.

I have met hundreds of immigrants, and I can say with absolute certainty that no two immigrants have experienced being an immigrant in the same way. This is even true within my own family.

I have applied for permanent residence three times and been refused twice. It has finally happened. I have been waiting for over 20 years, but I am no longer an undocumented immigrant.

My biggest dream has come true, but many of my friends are still waiting ...

For this photographic project, I invited people who had or still have the status of undocumented immigrants. Also, the phrases are from official documents or words spoken by these individuals.

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