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You could be a newcomer from Jalisco, you could be someone whose ancestors put down roots before the Mayflower, it doesn’t matter: For centuries, the default stance in this country is to look at anyone with family ties to our neighbor to the south with skepticism, if not outright hate.

Many have lived in California for years, and have put down roots and started families.

Domestic farmworkers — many of whom emigrated decades ago, started families and put down roots — don’t directly benefit from that development, she said: “Even though they are breaking their backs every day to bring food to the table, they are not worthy of housing.”

Her family put down roots over the decades, only to have all three of their homes destroyed by fires.

Although they may have gotten in trouble as youths, Urias said, many served their time and went on to get jobs and put down roots.