Our Undocumented Love Story: How Immigration Status Almost Kept My Husband and I Apart

Published: June 11, 2025

Author and United We Dream co-founder Cristina Jiménez shares the heart-wrenching story of how her undocumented status almost kept her from finding love and building a life with her husband Walter.

Cristina and Walter met in 2004 at a meeting for activists trying to pass the DREAM Act. Cristina was hesitant to open up about her undocumented status, but Walter's kindness and fearlessness inspired her to share her secret. As they grew closer, they realized that their undocumented status made it difficult to date and fall in love without weighing the risks of deportation.

The Risk of Deportation

In 2011, Walter was taken away by agents in Batavia, N.Y., and Cristina was left to face the reality of their uncertain future. She writes, "When you are undocumented, you're not free to date and fall in love without weighing the risks." Their community came together to stop Walter's deportation, and eventually, he was released after four days in detention.

Despite the uncertainty of their future, they chose to give their love a chance. They realized that their time together could be limited, but they didn't want to let the unjust immigration system take away their chance at happiness.

A New Chance at Love

After Walter was granted a U nonimmigrant status or U visa, they realized that they had a chance to stay together and build a life in the United States. They got married in a civil ceremony in New York City Hall, and today, they are U.S. citizens with a 3-year-old son.

Cristina's story is a powerful reminder that love can conquer even the most unjust systems. As she writes, "Love will always win. It was love that moved everyday people to stop Walter's deportation, making the story of our family possible."

Read more about Cristina's story in her book, Dreaming of Home: How We Turn Fear into Pride, Power, and Real Change.

For more inspiring stories, check out: