A Path of Service, A Gift of Unity: How One Young Woman’s Choice Is Paving the Way for Her Family’s Future

Wichita Kansas | May 7, 2025

By Alicia Silva | Planeta Venus

Image of a woman in the U.S. Air Force created with DALL-E Artificial Intelligence | Planet Venus

Maribel Perez (who asked us to use a pseudonym due to the fear instilled in immigrant families by the new administration) is not your typical student preparing for adulthood. While many of her peers are focused on college and personal milestones, Perez has made a life-changing decision, she’s enlisting in the United States Air Force, not only to serve her country but to create a path toward stability and citizenship for the people who matter most—her family.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Perez is the daughter of immigrants from Central America. Her father and brother are originally from Nicaragua, and her mother, born in El Salvador, moved to Nicaragua at just three years old. Her parents came to the United States in their 20s, bringing with them little more than dreams of a better life for their children. That sacrifice became the foundation of Maribel’s worldview—and her decision to serve.

“They left behind their family and their studies so we could have a better future,” Perez said. “I want to be able to do the same thing for my parents. I want them to not live in fear and be able to accomplish their dreams as well.”

Perez admits she was afraid when she first considered military service. The thought of leaving her family—even temporarily—was difficult. “I never saw myself joining the military,” she said. “But then I realized it’s the best decision I can make. If I said no, I would absolutely regret it.”

Though initially on a path to study nursing at Wichita State University, she made the decision to defer her education to answer a higher calling. She hopes to return to school after serving and eventually fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. In the meantime, her enlistment opens the door to legal pathways that could allow her parents to remain in the U.S.—a possibility they have long hoped for.

“The hardest part was knowing I had to put my career plans on hold and leave my family for a while,” Perez said. “But I try to focus on the good. This is temporary, and it will help my family and me in the long run.”

Through it all, Perez leans on the strength her family have instilled in her. “They taught me to trust God, have faith, and be resilient,” she said. Those values have shaped how she views duty—not just as a commitment to country, but as a deep sense of responsibility to her family and herself.

Her parents, once hesitant and afraid for her safety, rallied behind her with prayer and support. “God opened a door with hope,” she explained. “We are going to take it.”

Perez understands that her journey is not unique among children of immigrants—but it is deeply personal. “It’s not easy. You constantly worry that your family could be separated. You think of the worst-case scenarios,” she said. “Not all immigrants are criminals. Some, like my parents, just want their children to succeed.”

Friends describe Perez as having a calming presence, someone who is brave, hardworking, passionate, and grounded in her faith. These qualities are now being channeled into a purpose far greater than herself.

Looking ahead, Perez sees a future where her family is finally able to exhale—free from fear, able to travel, explore, and build the life they sacrificed so much to pursue. She dreams of becoming a nurse and buying a home where her parents can settle into the peace they’ve long been denied.

If she could speak to her younger self, Perez would offer words of encouragement and trust: “The future might not be like you wanted it, but everything has a purpose. You will see your family live their dreams—just like you will live yours.”

Her story is a reminder that patriotism can take many forms. For Maribel Perez, it looks like courage born of love, sacrifice strengthened by faith, and the unwavering hope that a nation her family has supported can finally be a place they all call home—together.