Irving Pedroza

Irving has lived a life of struggle and adversity. As a kid, Irving was brought to the United States as an undocumented immigrant by his parents from a poor town in Guerrero, Mexico. Irving struggled with being discriminated against in his youth due to his immigrant status and his inability to speak English. From Irving’s early years growing up in Escondido, CA, he was entrenched in an environment of never-ending violence. While learning to adapt to his life in the United States, Irving’s family suffered extreme poverty, even to the point of becoming homeless. Irving’s family also struggled with domestic violence, often leaving his mother fighting for her life at the hands of his father. Irving’s father ended up in jail as a result. Adding to his family's distress, Irving’s older brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His brother’s condition brought on further economic and emotional hardships. Irving was often the target of his brother's unstable mental health, landing him in the hospital numerous times at the hands of his brother.