A Deeply Personal Story: Diane Guerrero Shares Her Journey in My Family Divided

By BN Kids Editorial Team / July 26, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Before she became a familiar face on television shows like Orange Is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, Diane Guerrero was just another young girl living a normal life in Boston—until the day her parents, who were undocumented immigrants, were taken from their home, and eventually deported.

My Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope

Hardcover $18.99

My Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope

By Diane Guerrero , Erica Moroz

In Stock Online

Hardcover $18.99

Since then, Guerrero has rebuilt her life and found success as an actress—but also worked tirelessly on immigration reform, helping to shine a light on the plight of millions of undocumented immigrant families with stories a lot like hers. Her new book, My Family Divided: One Girl’s Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope, tells her deeply personal story like never before, in a way that will connect with both children and their parents. It is an essential addition to the current political and policy discussions taking place on a national stage, and a heartfelt read.

Below, she answers a few questions about the book, and her journey to today.

What was it like to live your childhood without your parents and brother right by your side?
At the age of fourteen, it was difficult to live without my parents there every day to support me. I had to grow up very fast. Being separated from your family at any age is something that can affect you on a deeply emotional level. Having it happen at the age of fourteen is something that affected me to my core. I can’t imagine what it must be like for the children who are much younger than I was who are now separated from their families.

How did you manage to stay focused early on in school when the people around you had a hard time staying motivated? How important were your parents during this time?
I was able to stay motivated throughout my school years because I had a big imagination. My parents were also important during my childhood because they instilled in me the value of a good education. My dad always told me my priority was my education, and I never lost focus of that drive to succeed.

How much of an effect did your childhood have on you as a person today?
My childhood had a huge effect on me as a person today. So much of what you go through as a child shapes who you are as an adult; it does not, however, define you.

Aside from your roommate, do you wish you had spoken to your friends about your story? How did keeping that piece of yourself private affect your relationships?
Yeah, I was afraid to open up because immigration was a taboo issue at that time, and I felt people would not understand my story. The lack of information out there made me feel ashamed of my situation to the point where I felt the need to hide that part of myself from the world. I thought people would not be accepting—that I would be treated differently.

I wish I had always felt comfortable to be honest about who I am. I wish we all were a little more educated on the immigration system so we would have an easier time connecting with and understanding people going through things like deportation and family separation.

Keeping that piece of myself private was suffocating. When I finally decided to share my story I felt such a sense of release at not having to hold it in any longer. We need education on the immigration system so people understand the complexities and gray areas and treat it as a human issue.

How did Boston Arts Academy (BAA) contribute to your growth, both intellectually and personally?
Attending BAA contributed greatly to my growth. The school kept me motivated to achieve my goals and helped me see a future for myself. I loved going to school and I loved the fact that I could take voice lessons as part of my school curriculum. It was different than attending public school because we all wanted to be there. We all chose to go to that school and to practice our art form. In some ways the faculty and students became my family. They understood my artist side, and it was so fulfilling to have the privileges of being surrounded by creative, motivated people every day.

Your parents were deported when you were fourteen, which is often such an emotional time of adolescent transitions and transformations. Do you ever imagine how your life might have been different if you hadn’t had to get through that time without them?
After my parents were taken, I was incredibly lucky to have a community of people who supported me as though they were family. However, I know my life would have been different if I would have had my parents with me.

When you look back on all those nights you spent praying, did you ever think that you would end up where you are today? What were you wishing for all those years?
I never thought I would end up where I am today. I never put much pressure on myself to get a role or to make it. I take things as they come and do my best. I never expect anything, so I am always grateful when opportunities arise.

What’s next? What is your biggest goal in the very near future?
I believe in always striving to improve and helping others by telling your truth.

I’m working on developing several projects, including a children’s book concept, a Get the Vote Out series with the organization Mi Familia Vota and Revolve Impact, turning my story into a film or TV series, and continuing to grow as an actor.

I also strive to balance finding time for family and self-care. So my biggest goals are to spend more downtime with family and focus on projects that will help change today’s narrative.

My Family Divided is available now.