We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Areli Morales a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Areli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

As an undocumented immigrant, I wanted to take control of the narrative surrounding immigration. So I decided to share my own story in a picture book so that when future generations learn about immigration, especially about the millions of undocumented immigrants that contribute to the United States, they will see us and our humanity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I was born in Puebla, Mexico. I lived there with my grandmother and brother because my parents immigrated to the United States to get better jobs and provide for us. Eventually, when I turned six, I too had to immigrate to the United States and left my home and family behind in Mexico. Since I entered the country illegally, I gained unlawful status and grew up undocumented. In school, classmates called me illegal because I wasn’t a US citizen. Despite the struggles, this country became my home. Several years later, I was able to obtain DACA. DACA is a temporary immigration relief that has allowed me to stay in this country and work on my dreams. I graduated from college and became a teacher and a published author.

As a child, I had to keep my immigration status a secret. The idea that everything could be taken away at any moment and I could be separated from my family was a fear that I had to cope with at a young age. As a result, my undocumented status also made growing up really lonely. I also didn’t have books that reflected my experience. So when I got older, I discovered the power of storytelling. I began to tell others that I was undocumented and I began to connect with others. Eventually, my storytelling transformed into writing my story in an essay. The essay was picked up by an editor at Penguin Random House who then offered me the opportunity to write a picture book. In 2021, I published my first children’s book called Areli is a Dreamer through Random House Studio.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had resources on how to better navigate the publishing industry. For example, how to better promote a book, how to connect with other authors, and how to do author visits. I also wish I knew more about critique groups and how to join one. Critique groups are crucial because they allow authors to connect with one another and seek their feedback on stories.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal as a writer is to share stories that reflect the authentic experiences of immigrants. I believe authentic stories of the immigrant experience written by immigrants themselves can spark important conversations about what it means to leave one’s home for new land. Through diverse books, we can help immigrant children and adults cope with the struggles that come along with migration. Books like mine can also celebrate their resilience and triumphs. We can also help others empathize with those living in America’s shadows. I want audiences to know that immigrants are more than just their trauma. Immigrants are not invisible, they are humans with so many gifts to offer the world. Immigrants are strong and deserve the right to dream just like everyone else

Contact Info:

• Instagram: arelinyc
• Twitter: arelinyc

Image Credits
Adina Lerner Photography