First Generation
An Ongoing Photographic Series by Iaritza Menjívar
First Generation is a long-term documentary series exploring the everyday lives of three generations of my immigrant family— my parents, who arrived in the United States from Guatemala and El Salvador, and the generations that followed, born here in the U.S.
As “First Gens,” we navigate a complex duality: the privileges of being born in the U.S., and the emotional and social weight of our families’ migration stories. We move through systems that often marginalize our loved ones— where names, immigration status, and skin color can determine access, opportunity, and belonging.
This work is rooted in gratitude. Each image is an offering to honor my family's labor and sacrifice— a visual reminder that their struggles and perseverance were not in vain.
Press, Features & Exhibitions:
The New York Times: Honoring a Debt to Immigrant Parents
NYT en Español: Una deuda pendiente con mis padres migrantes
Photoville: First Generation Exhibition
Newton Camera Club – Contemporary Women Photographers
What Will You Remember – Reconstructed at FPAC Gallery