I am deeply saddened that the U.S. is losing someone like this, but I guess I can be happy for Mexico regaining a truly good and decent citizen.
And his niece is right about the shock Trump voters apparently feel. When I woke up the Wednesday after the election with a sickening dread about the future I told myself that if any of my MAGA relatives say they didn’t think he would actually do the things he said he would do my response will always be “ If you voted for Trump, you voted for this.”
This one wrecked me. Carrera’s not leaving in defeat—he’s leaving with dignity. The way he’s choosing compassion, creativity, and freedom instead of fear and cages says everything about the kind of person he is.
And shoutout to Jennifer for being the kind of niece every family needs. That iPhone moment? Pure love. I’ll be following his journey from Oaxaca and rooting for every meal, every video, every dream he builds there.
America may be losing him, but the world still gets his heart.
I love this comment so much. In the GoFundMe Jennifer writes "Mi tio es su tio ahora!" My uncle is your uncle now. And I think it's how a lot of people feel after seeing how great a person he is.
These stories of real people, real families are hugely important Adrian. I hope you will continue to spotlight them. And now I’m going to the Gofundme page. Thank you. 🌺
A smart country would write laws that allow overall contributors to emigrate. You don't have to look hard to see the laws are mostly about maintaining a desired ethnic makeup.
Now, I'm going to watch Sr. Carrera's cooking videos. As the grandchild of wonderful Sicilian immigrants, my heart aches to see good people pushed out of our country.
For three decades, I've watched Republicans complain about 'illegal' immigrants while squashing every immigration reform because it wasn't cruel enough. They blocked GW Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden's, Democrats, and bipartisan reforms then whine and demonize immigrants.
I'm sick of hearing people say "My ancestors immigrated the right way." Really??? These people do not know the story of US immigration. Until 1917 and 1924, our borders were basically open. There were limited obstacles for entry. As long as you did not have a contagious disease & deemed abled bodied by the border health staff, you were allowed entry. You did not need a work or residency visa.
The border largely closed to anyone NOT white Protestant Northern European in 1924. Why? Because a wealthy group of old money funded a massive lobbying campaign to close the borders to undesirables deemed cognitively inferior & criminally inclined. These undesirables were Eastern and Southern Europeans, Catholics, and Jews. Hmm sound familiar?
In 1924 industry needed workers but ignorant wealthy bigots won the fight and Congress voted in the affirmative for the bigoted Johnson-Reed Immigration Act. In the late 1920's and 1930's, California wealthy farmers deported Americans of Mexican descent and waged a campaign to trick Dust Bowl farmers to work in California. Once the white Dust Bowl survivors arrived in CA, they treated them like serfs. Underpaid and overworked.
The same wealthy families fund today's anti-immigration policies and laws. They used dog whistle coded language instead of eugenics. It's the same old game.
The Us', especially Florida's loss is Mexico's gain. I wish Sr. Carrera all the success and happiness in the world! I hope he becomes a Tik-Tok sensation, sharing his love and his cooking with the world!
Honestly, I wish this hadn't been published until after he left. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if ICE has someone reading the Bulwark who has just called for a team to go get Carrera and his wife before they can leave. Self-deportation doesn't provide enough of an example. They need (let's face it, they WANT) him to suffer in the camp. Plus, they help with the daily quota.
Our loss is Mexico's gain, may Chef Carrera prosper there. Stephen Miller and his ilk are driving out the people we want here and handing the world to China.
I wonder how one can even safely self-deport? Does ICE have thugs waiting to apprehend people before they get through the TSA security lines. If I understood correctly his wife is Argentinian will she be allowed to go with him once they are in Mexico? Perhaps that is part of their planning.
If I was planning on self-deportation I think I would report to the nearest consulate and ask for a diplomatic escort to get safely out of the country. Or at least inform them of my intention to return home so they can keep tabs of my whereabouts should I get caught up in the ICE dragnet.
We lose someone like chef Carrera, and are stuck with Steven Miller. The gods are laughing at us. This is from an old Greek saying, “When the gods want to amuse themselves, they give us what we ask for.”
My advice to myself that morning was “embrace schadenfreude” but that hasn’t really been all that enjoyable.
I am deeply saddened that the U.S. is losing someone like this, but I guess I can be happy for Mexico regaining a truly good and decent citizen.
And his niece is right about the shock Trump voters apparently feel. When I woke up the Wednesday after the election with a sickening dread about the future I told myself that if any of my MAGA relatives say they didn’t think he would actually do the things he said he would do my response will always be “ If you voted for Trump, you voted for this.”
This one wrecked me. Carrera’s not leaving in defeat—he’s leaving with dignity. The way he’s choosing compassion, creativity, and freedom instead of fear and cages says everything about the kind of person he is.
And shoutout to Jennifer for being the kind of niece every family needs. That iPhone moment? Pure love. I’ll be following his journey from Oaxaca and rooting for every meal, every video, every dream he builds there.
America may be losing him, but the world still gets his heart.
I love this comment so much. In the GoFundMe Jennifer writes "Mi tio es su tio ahora!" My uncle is your uncle now. And I think it's how a lot of people feel after seeing how great a person he is.
These stories of real people, real families are hugely important Adrian. I hope you will continue to spotlight them. And now I’m going to the Gofundme page. Thank you. 🌺
Thanks so much Phyllis. Our community inspires me to keep amplifying stories like this. Thank you for reading!
A smart country would write laws that allow overall contributors to emigrate. You don't have to look hard to see the laws are mostly about maintaining a desired ethnic makeup.
Mexico will be getting a man who has a huge heart a great work ethic and will contribute to his community.
That’s exactly how I feel
Now, I'm going to watch Sr. Carrera's cooking videos. As the grandchild of wonderful Sicilian immigrants, my heart aches to see good people pushed out of our country.
For three decades, I've watched Republicans complain about 'illegal' immigrants while squashing every immigration reform because it wasn't cruel enough. They blocked GW Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden's, Democrats, and bipartisan reforms then whine and demonize immigrants.
I'm sick of hearing people say "My ancestors immigrated the right way." Really??? These people do not know the story of US immigration. Until 1917 and 1924, our borders were basically open. There were limited obstacles for entry. As long as you did not have a contagious disease & deemed abled bodied by the border health staff, you were allowed entry. You did not need a work or residency visa.
The border largely closed to anyone NOT white Protestant Northern European in 1924. Why? Because a wealthy group of old money funded a massive lobbying campaign to close the borders to undesirables deemed cognitively inferior & criminally inclined. These undesirables were Eastern and Southern Europeans, Catholics, and Jews. Hmm sound familiar?
In 1924 industry needed workers but ignorant wealthy bigots won the fight and Congress voted in the affirmative for the bigoted Johnson-Reed Immigration Act. In the late 1920's and 1930's, California wealthy farmers deported Americans of Mexican descent and waged a campaign to trick Dust Bowl farmers to work in California. Once the white Dust Bowl survivors arrived in CA, they treated them like serfs. Underpaid and overworked.
The same wealthy families fund today's anti-immigration policies and laws. They used dog whistle coded language instead of eugenics. It's the same old game.
The Us', especially Florida's loss is Mexico's gain. I wish Sr. Carrera all the success and happiness in the world! I hope he becomes a Tik-Tok sensation, sharing his love and his cooking with the world!
Honestly, I wish this hadn't been published until after he left. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if ICE has someone reading the Bulwark who has just called for a team to go get Carrera and his wife before they can leave. Self-deportation doesn't provide enough of an example. They need (let's face it, they WANT) him to suffer in the camp. Plus, they help with the daily quota.
I received a nice note from his niece that he arrived in Mexico today
What a horrible thought
These are horrible people. I've come to expect horrible things from them.
I really don't recognize this country anymore.
We are who we always were. It's just that the absolute worst of us are now in total control.
Our loss is Mexico's gain, may Chef Carrera prosper there. Stephen Miller and his ilk are driving out the people we want here and handing the world to China.
I wonder how one can even safely self-deport? Does ICE have thugs waiting to apprehend people before they get through the TSA security lines. If I understood correctly his wife is Argentinian will she be allowed to go with him once they are in Mexico? Perhaps that is part of their planning.
If I was planning on self-deportation I think I would report to the nearest consulate and ask for a diplomatic escort to get safely out of the country. Or at least inform them of my intention to return home so they can keep tabs of my whereabouts should I get caught up in the ICE dragnet.
This was my first question too - what is there stop ICE from picking him up at the airport and tossing him in AA?
I received a nice note from his niece that he arrived in Mexico today
That is wonderful news! Thank you for the update.
We lose someone like chef Carrera, and are stuck with Steven Miller. The gods are laughing at us. This is from an old Greek saying, “When the gods want to amuse themselves, they give us what we ask for.”
And the wonderful Emil Bove./s
Adrian, the go fund me link doesn’t work. I found it searching the story:
Help to mi Tio Marito's New Journey In Mexico
Mexicans are also native to America.
Beautiful man! Good luck and god bless!