This is why I started doing what I was doing. Some had been waiting for about an hour to have her to sign legal guardianship documents for their children, and others came by for power of attorney documents to protect their homes. About every 10 minutes, clients walked out, and a few more walked in. Most came in with people who could help translate legal information for their mixed-status family members.
Fairmont City is about 6 miles east of downtown St. Years ago, many immigrants and people without legal status settled into the city to work at a now-shuttered Zinc plant. The community is now filled with small-business owners and construction and warehouse workers.
You don't have to go to court; you don't have to do anything. You can just appoint somebody to be the guardian of your children in case you cannot take care of them. Genesis sat quietly in the office while she waited to speak with Suarez about legal guardianship for her children.
Genesis fears deportation; St. Louis Public Radio is not using her last name so she could speak freely. At times, she was in deep thought, and in other moments she engaged in conversation with her family members and friends. She said the past few weeks have been terrifying.
Genesis has lived in the Metro East with her family almost all her life. She said the St. Louis region is home. Ever since her friends and family learned about raids in other cities, Genesis said people in Fairmont City are not leaving their homes, and many are barely going to work.
