LATINO CULTURE INTERVIEWS 1

LATINO CULTURE INTERVIEWS IN ST. LOUIS

Emily Clossum

School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University

Author Note
Emily Clossum
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to:
Emily Clossum. Email: eclossum@[Link]
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St. Louis Missouri seems to have a large and diverse Latino community something I was

unaware of. Where I live in St. Louis there is not a large population of Latinos in fact most of the

people, I encounter are African American. I had the pleasure of attending two very diverse and

eye-opening events immersed into the Latino culture. Latino culture in St. Lousi has been

plagued with adversity, challenges, and lack of recognition but through it all it is resilient.

Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project

The agency that I chose to interview was the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action

Project of MICA as an acronym and the interview was given by employee Ivonne Frechette.

MICA was founded in 2011 by two law students Nicole Cortes and Jessica Mayo in St. Louis,

Missouri. MICA was created because Jessica and Nicole noticed that there was a large need for

affordable legal services for immigrants. The purpose or mission of MICA is that it is a

community organization that commits to working with low-income immigrants to overcome

barriers to justice. Some of things that the MICA utilizes are detailed education, legal services,

and advocacy pertaining to organizations, that promotes the usage of human voices and dignity

from heavily populated immigrant communities. One of the populations that I was told that

MICA serves the most is the Latino/Latinx communities.

MICA Offered Services

MICA offers many different services/ informational presentations to immigrants some of

the most notable are legal services, client support services, know your rights presentations, and

community collaboration. The MICA Project supports a large and varied number of legal cases

which can include naturalization, family immigrations, defense removals, as well as refugee and

asylum problems/issues. Ivonne stated that some of the examples of the cases that MICA assists
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with are family petitions, asylum, SIJ (Special Immigrant Juvenile), VAWA (Violence Against

Women Act), Trafficked victims that need a T-visa, victims of crime needing U-Visas, TPS

(Temporary Protective Status), and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Ivonne did

also say that any case that needed humanitarian legal aid was also examined and assisted with if

possible. MICA does not help with student or business-related visas only those needing any sort

of social justice help.

Client Support Services is another prominent area of support Latinos can get assistance

for. In fact, there is a special department client support services department dedicated to helping

immigrants with many of the problems they face. Many Latinos especially first-generation

immigrants do not have access to appropriate and reliable medical and mental health care.

Financial guidance and education are also given to the immigrants as well in the form of

financial assistance and tax help. Immigrants are assisted with public welfare benefits if they are

eligible. School registration and language services are also something that the Latino population

desperately needs. Ivonne mentioned it was one of the main things that they see is a big language

barrier for most.

Latinos are also provided with educational presentations that provide immigration options

and what legal rights immigrants have in the United States. Many times, MICA pointed out that

there is a lot of misinformation projected through news outlets, social media, and other public

platforms. MICA and Ivonne stated that they try to fight the misinformation by presenting

educational presentations for all free of charge. Their main objective is to let the Latino

population know as well as other immigrants that even though they may not be a citizen they still

have rights and are protected in the United States.

The MICA Project partners with other social justice service providers to provide referrals

to immigrants that they are unable to help through community collaborations. A few examples of

collaboration are every couple of months MICA networks and collaborates with IFCLA

(International Institute) to hold assistance clinic meetings to help immigrants with asylum and

work permits. These immigrants may not possess an attorney, or have access to an affordable

one, or can not find anyone to assist with case. MICA does assist the Latino community with

filing for asylum and work permits/applications pro bono.

Available Services/ Greatest Need Areas

mouth. Many of their clients talk to each other and referrals are made that way. MICA does not

advertise as they have a large clientele, so advertising is not needed. It should be noted that

MICA does have a website members of the public can visit to get more information on what

MICA offers to immigrants. The Latino community in St. Louis is growing rapidly however, the

available services are not growing with them.

One of the most pressing areas of concern or need is the lack of adequate legal

service/representation. MICA and other organizations are needed to provide low-cost legal

services amongst other needed items. St. Louis does not have many organizations that cater to

social justice reforms like MICA does. Many Latino migrants that live in the St. Louis area do

not have access to private attorneys or there are not enough willing to help. A majority of Latino

migrants go through the immigration process without any legal representation/protection. It is

not feasible for every person to have a legal representative which is why MICA tries to provide

aid by holding asylum and work permit clinics to assist those that do not have access to an

attorney.
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Another area of concern is having access to medical and proper mental health services

without the required documentation needed such as a state ID or social security number. Not

having those two things makes it difficult for the Latino community to receive quality medical

care. It is also difficult to find Spanish speaking health care services or providers to assist with

MICA clients. MICA and Ivonne factually stated that a majority of their clients have experienced

traumatic experiences access to mental health services is paramount in their lives and can be

difficult to obtain.

Significant Challenges/Solutions

Some of the challenges that MICA has encountered would have to be understood on a

larger scale. U.S. policies and laws can often be a large barrier for the Latino community as well

as other immigrants. Immigration laws are sometimes caught in the cross hairs of which political

party is in power. This means that immigration law is always changing and evolving whether that

is good or bad. MICA as an organization must always be prepared to pivot if need be to support

their clients. Another challenge is the lack of organizations that promote social justice like

MICA. As mentioned before many Latino families or members have gone through the

immigration process without protected legal counsel. The court does not appoint immigration

lawyers, so immigrants must hire their own. Otherwise, each person will have to proceed through

without any representation. Proceeding alone does present some of its own challenges such as a

language barrier and navigating a difficult and complex system legal system. Ivonne said it can

be a very difficult process for their clients to do on their own. If an immigrant is able to hire an

attorney, they are four to six times more likely to win their cases. MICA as stated before strives
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to make their social justice services low cost and available to all as a commitment to the

American Social Justice system.

One of the steps that MICA has taken to combat their unique challenges are by creating

community partnerships with different organizations and key government officials. This is done

so that they can educate others outside the immigrant community of the needs of this community.

Many people that are born in the United States have a very limited understanding of what the

immigration process looks like and what difficulties immigrants especially Latinos face. Having

working relationships to promote help from other organizations pertaining to medical, dental,

and mental health help.

Another step MICA has taken is to host asylum and work permit clinics for immigrants

who do not have legal representation. Along with these clinics presentations are given showing

immigrants what their rights are in the United States without immigration status. The last step

that MICA has taken is the creation of their client support services department. It was recognized

that providing legal services was only a small piece to the puzzle. MICA recognized that more

needed to be done, thus the creation of the client support department. This department was

created to bridge the gap for needed services and provide a better and easier approach to legal

representation.

MICA’s Social Justice

The founders of MICA and the organization itself is a trail blazer in the world of social

justice. There was a need for low-cost legal services for the Latino community and other

immigrants to try and obtain the American dream. MICA believes that every human deserves to

feel safe, respected and migration is a human right for all. Social Justice is important to MICA
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because of the clients that they serve. The Latino population would suffer without the angels of

MICA to help them along the way. MICA has created a safe and welcoming community that

strives to serve, protect, and help immigrants from all walks of life. This is demonstrated through

a shared understanding that all people deserve to be treated as worthy and full of dignity. MICA’s

focuses largely on promoting human dignity and voice for immigrants. MICA would also like to

change the narrative on how immigration is viewed in the United States. Many immigrants are

viewed as less than based on their country of origin.

Oscar Bermejo

For the personal interview section, I chose to interview Oscar Bermejo. Oscar is my

husband’s co-worker at FTL Finance. He has become quite a close friend of ours and his story is

an interesting one. Oscar was born in the United States in the city of New York and is Mexican

American. While he was born in the United States he grew up between the ages of one through

seven in Mexico. His parents wanted to immerge Oscar and his siblings in their native culture

while raising them and they needed to take care of a sick relative. The first language he speaks is

Spanish because he lived in Mexico for seven years and that was the primary language spoken.

After he turned seven years old, he moved back to the United States with his family. He now

speaks both Spanish and English fluently. Moving back to the United States was based on

providing the family with a better future as well as avoiding unnecessary violence.

Relocating back to the United States was harder than what he thought it might be. The

reason is because where he lived there was not many Latinos so fitting in at school became a
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challenge. His parents did not speak English well and relied on Oscar and his siblings to help

translate what was being said. Oscar’s family moved to St. Louis, Missouri suburb called

Hazelwood, Missouri. The school district Oscar attended had a mix of white and black students.

Being Latino proved to be both a blessing and a curse. The reason it was both was because he

was deemed unintelligent by some of his peers because he did not always understand what was

being said when he was younger. He was put into English as a second language classes to make

sure he was being fully supported. This sometimes alienated him from his peers. Other times he

welcomed being different because he got to share his culture with others if they were interested.

His parents were immigrants from Mexico, and they wanted to make sure that he and his siblings

had a chance to have dual citizenship. Eventually, life in the United States became easier due to

Oscar’s exposure to the United States educational system he began to fit in while also upholding

his family’s cultural values.

Significant Challenges

Some of the challenges that Oscar encountered were navigating cultural identity,

discrimination, and stereotypes. As a Latino, Oscar faced several significant challenges

throughout his life. One of the most prominent challenges had been navigating cultural identity.

Balancing traditional values from his heritage with the expectations of modern society can

sometimes feel overwhelming for Oscar. To address this, Oscar actively engaged with his

community, participating in cultural events and celebrations that reinforce his roots. This

connection has helped him embrace his cultural identity with pride and dignity.

Another challenge Oscar has dealt with and continues to deal with is discrimination and

stereotypes. There have been moments where he has felt judged or misunderstood based on his

cultural background. To overcome this, he has focused on education and advocacy, sharing his
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experiences and the complexities of Latino identity with those around him any chance he gets.

Engaging in conversations that raise awareness has not only helped him but also opened dialogue

with others.

Cultural Familial/Counseling Views

Oscar views on family are standard for a Latino family. Oscar mentioned that family often

provides a support system during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and togetherness.

Strong familial bonds create a sense of unity and resilience, enabling us to navigate challenges more

effectively. Family is important to Oscar whenever he has a large decision to make, he consults with his

family first for their support and suggestions. In time of need Oscar and his family lean on each other for

support whether that is financially or emotionally. As for any sort of counseling Oscar stated Latinos

typically do not view counseling as a positive helpful avenue. Oscar was raised to just get over any

problems he was dealt with, and to seek God for guidance and pray for blessings and to keep any

negativity out of his life.

Key Cultural Events

As a Latino individual, Oscar had the privilege of experiencing several key cultural

events that have deeply enriched his understanding of his heritage. One of the most significant is

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This vibrant celebration honors deceased loved one with

colorful altars, offerings, and festivities. Participating in this event taught Oscar the importance

of remembering and celebrating those who came before the current generations. Oscar also

participated in Cinco de Mayo which, while often misunderstood, is a celebration of Mexican

heritage and pride, particularly in the context of the Battle of Puebla. This event is marked by

festivities, music, and food, creating a wonderful sense of camaraderie among those celebrating.
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Fiesta de la Candelaria is a cultural event that is celebrated mainly by Mexicans and

people from Peru. It is also known as Candlemas and falls on February 2nd. The holiday signifies

the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin May. Oscar stated that

this is a celebration that combines Native elements as well as Catholic elements in a colorful and

vibrant way. In Mexico Oscar would celebrate this with his family by dressing up the statues of

the Virgin Mary and Jesus with homemade traditional outfits before the statues were taken to a

parade. A festival always followed the parade which included dancing and music.

As Oscar shared his story my emotional reaction faltered between admiration to deep

sorrow for him. The reason is because while he did not speak very much about the struggles, he

goes through it seems to radiate off his person. It was enlightening and refreshing to hear about

how close he is with his entire family. So often the world hears many negative things about

families and how the idea of a family unit has been destroyed. However, in the Latino culture the

familial unit is alive and well. He did share that he wished that as a Latino he did not have to deal

with pervasive stereotypes that misrepresent his community. He has grown frustrated with how

narrow-minded and often a negative portrayal other cultures seem to view his fellow Latino

people. That way of thinking has overshadowed the rich diversity and unique Latino culture.

Oscar did say he wished there was a greater emphasis on Latino contributions to society

showcasing the positive impacts Latinos have made in various fields. All of the key cultural

events he mentioned radiated family involvement or rather it was centered on family. It is clear

that in Latino culture a strong sense of family is paramount.

One of the things that became evident to me throughout this whole interview process

from both parties that were interviewed. Is that they are an extremely proud group of people.

They are willing to work hard and find different unconventional ways to accomplish their goals.
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While that may seem self-explanatory what makes it extraordinary is that they are willing to do

without speaking the language first. Latinos seem to constantly evolve as they go through life,

and it is amazing. Latinos are also very resilient almost to a fault especially when it comes to the

thought of any sort of counseling. Mental health does seem to be gaining traction in the Latino

communities for some of the well-informed younger Latinos but still does not resonate with the

older generations. I was surprised to learn that causes a familial rift within families.

Gracism

The Gracism saying that I feel would apply to this population would be “I will stand with

you”. I feel as though this is very important because of the discrimination the Latino community

has faced. While they may have traditions and customs I may not understand they deserve to

have an ally that includes them at every turn. To say that just one of the Gracism sayings only

apply is incorrect I believe that several could apply to this particular community. The sayings “I

will consider you” and “I will honor you” are two more sayings that do apply to this community

because their voices need to be heard. Some of the ways I do feel like I can contribute to this

community as a Gracism would be to include them in all conversations and ask their personal

cultural view point instead of just assuming or talking over them.

Both interviews gave me information that I did not know prior especially concerning the

hardships that both parties have experienced. Some of the similarities were that they both talked

about oppression and how they wished to be seen as different more intelligent and worthy

people. Oscar wanted people to shed light on the accomplishments of his people as opposed to

Ivonne wanting others to benefit from social justice. The two things that I found to be the most

surprising were the lack of support and how much more work needs to be done to make sure
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Latinos are treated fairly. It was surprising to me because it seems as though they are supported

quite a bit but in reality, that is not the case. The three ways I was impacted by this experience

was that I was educated on their customs and beliefs with a sense of pride, my understanding of

their struggles has changed to become more of a voice of support, and I was shown so much love

that I would love to learn even more about them if possible.

The insights that I have gained are that I must be aware of all cultures and to be a school

counselor will be challenging concerning that. I will need to understand that while I am bound by

school rules there are cultural rules to apply as well. I will now understand that to fully help

someone I must understand their culture and apply any of their rules to the counseling

relationship. To be able to counsel is a gift and must be shown great respect for each of the

cultures I encounter.