Laura’s late husband moved the family to the United States to help her parents start a mission in Bentonville, Arkansas. His parents were retired missionaries who had immigrated to the United States many years earlier, by which time they were American citizens.
“I didn’t want to come,” Laura said, but her in-laws continued to force her for three years. “They were making a point.”
Five years after Laura agreed to immigrate, her husband died in an accident, leaving her with two children who were integrating into their new life in the United States. “I started doing whatever work I could because I needed to support myself,” she said. “I knew I couldn’t apply anywhere without a Social Security number.”
Laura, who is not allowed to work in the United States, was doing what many immigrant women in the same situation do. She worked as a babysitter and nanny. There was always plenty of work to do, she said, and she was and still is good at it. “Every day, I show up.” When her family asked if she knew anyone who could clean the house, she replied, “I don’t know anyone, but I can do it.”
Laura has been caring for other people’s children for 14 years. Most of his parents were born in the United States and worked at Walmart, which is headquartered in Bentonville.
Last year, Laura was allowed to work in the United States and took a full-time job at a friend’s office. However, she still works part-time for the family she used to babysit. “I have lunch at 3:30 p.m. and pick up the kids from school.” She remains in high demand for her childcare job. “A lot of my family knows me.”
Laura is grateful for her babysitting job and for being able to help these American families. “The families I have worked with over the years, their families have been a blessing,” she said. “They paid me very well. They gave me bonuses every year. They valued my work.”
