In the ‘promised land,’ Eastern Iowa immigrants celebrate the Fourth of July, ‘fight for their dreams’

The U.S. is the “promised land” for Ruby Caceres and her family who fled from Colombia to seek a better future for themselves and their children.

Caceres crossed seven borders, walking through the jungle with her then-7-year-old son in 2023, seeking asylum. Her husband had arrived in the U.S. the year prior.

The family left their home in Colombia because they were being “terrorized” by violent people in Colombia who threatened to kill the family if they didn’t give them money.

“It was really dangerous,” Caceres said.

On the Fourth of July, Caceres celebrated the birthday of her new country alongside her husband and son and other family members who also have made their way to the U.S. over the years. They barbecued at West Overlook Beach at Coralville Lake.

Caceres, who lives in Iowa City, also now has a six-month-old daughter who she said is a “symbol of hope and a better future.”

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Amid a backdrop of increasing arrests of migrants across the U.S., Caceres said they are celebrating that they “got to the promised land” where she feels “safe,“ she said.

“We trust that if you work hard and do what you have to do” — including getting a lawyer — “we’re gonna be OK,” Caceres said.

Sylvan M’zuza, a pastor at Full Grace Global Ministries in Cedar Rapids, said many of his parishioners are afraid to leave their homes -- to go to church or even go to work -- out of fear of being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has increased arrests in recent months.

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That includes immigrants with U.S. Citizenship and those who are here on asylum and with work permits.

“As long as you are a foreigner not born in America, you do things by fear,” M’zuza said.

“It’s like if someone is attacking my house and I ran to my neighbor for safety and my neighbor refuses to accept me or kicks me out. That is what is happening in America,” M’zuza said.

President Donald Trump is ending protections and programs for immigrants as part of his campaign promise to conduct mass deportations, including a promise to deport more than 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal authorization.

The Iowa State Patrol earlier this year signed a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agreement is a contract that gives local law enforcement agencies authority to perform immigration enforcement. ICE has been encouraging departments to adopt the agreements since Trump took office.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests across the country have included immigrants without criminal histories, no legal representation and people who are seeking asylum.

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Even so, July 4 is a day of celebration for M’zuza. He married his wife 35 years ago on that day. They immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the U.S. about 25 years ago.

“For me, it’s a double celebration. Everybody is celebrating for me today,” M’zuza said with a laugh.

Along with his four adult children and grandchildren, M’zuza and his wife went downtown in Cedar Rapids Friday night to watch the fireworks.

“There’s always hope,” M’zuza said. “As Christians, we are praying for this nation. We still have hope that things will change. We’re praying for the president and his administration.”

Yadira Castillo’s family celebrated the Fourth of July at their home in Iowa City Friday. She immigrated here from Honduras with her husband and three children in 2022 “for opportunities and a safer life,” Castillo said through a translator.

Castillo said she is “not panicking in fear and paralyzed.”

She is grateful the U.S. opened its doors. She and other immigrants now must “have the courage to fight for their dreams,” Castillo said.

“Be courageous. It’s just this (federal) administration that’s making us look like criminals, but we’re not. Keep fighting for your dreams,” Castillo said.

Siri Makanga, who came to the U.S. in 2013 after a decade spent in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe, said Fourth of July inspires “mixed emotions.”

Makanga, who now is a U.S. citizen, said there is a heightened fear in the immigrant community of deportation.

“You walk around with your documentation. There’s fear if you have a work visa that’s expiring soon, it may not be renewed,” said Makanga, who lives in Cedar Rapids.

But the Fourth of July also is a time of celebration for Makanga, who got engaged to his now-wife on the holiday five years ago. They have a seven-month-old son together.

“On my passport, it says I’m from Congo. Even though I’m a citizen, I’m also an immigrant. I shouldn’t forget that. I feel safe. I felt welcomed from the time I came to Iowa. Now, I do my part to help others,” Makanga said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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