Gullermo Ramirez, right, poses for a photo in front of the St. Vincent Center in Davenport with his wife, Virgina Dominguez, left, and daughter, Melina Ramirez Dominguez, earlier this year.
By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
When Guillermo Ramirez, an engineer, received an opportunity from his company in Mexico to take a position in southeast Iowa in 2022, he and his wife, Virginia (Vicky) Dominguez prayed and reflected on the offer. They had dreamed of moving to the United States but declined an offer 10 years earlier to relocate to Wisconsin because they were first-time parents of their newborn daughter, Melina Ramirez Dominguez. “I considered the weather and thought it would be too risky for my daughter,” Guillermo said during an interview earlier this spring with The Catholic Messenger, accompanied by his wife and daughter.
Guillermo and Vicky set aside their dream to focus on their family and careers in Pueblo, Mexico. Vicky is an educator who worked with graduate-level students in Mexico. When Guillermo received the second offer to relocate, “I talked with my family, my wife and daughter,” he said and after much reflection, chose to move to the U.S. “We have no family here, so everything was a challenge,” including the language, culture, jobs and Melina’s adjustment to a new school environment.
However, the family began making connections, gained confidence and developed friendships in their parish, St. Patrick in Iowa City, and in the greater community. “We really love our country and we love this place as well. The people here are amazing. I feel we are blessed by God to come here,” Guillermo said. His visa allows him to work in the U.S. and to have his family with him. “We are very blessed,” Vicky said.
When they first arrived, they needed transportation for trips to offices to process paperwork and to enroll Melina in school. A new friend offered her car for that purpose, which was a godsend. “God helps you through other people,” Guillermo said. “He sends angels,” Vicky added.
Vicky began teaching Spanish in a local high school and was grateful for affirming administrators who supported her teaching approach and skills as she and her diverse students learned to work together. Her perseverance has resulted in blessings. “Some of my students told me how grateful they feel to have me as their teacher. That made my day. They asked about Mexico and about my traditions. They are very open.”
Managing family life, careers, parish activities and Melina’s school activities is demanding but fulfilling. On the Saturday of their interview with the Messenger, “I woke up at 6 a.m. to clean my house,” Vicky said.
The family treasures weekends together, planning visits to libraries and museums around their parish commitments. The family attends the 12:15 p.m. Spanish Mass on Sundays at St. Patrick, where they are active members; Vicky is a catechist for elementary-age students and a member of the Hispanic Ministry Committee.
“This family, from the moment they arrived at St. Patrick’s, has said they felt welcome,” said Deacon Angel Hernandez, the parish’s director of sacramental preparation and assistant director of catechesis. “The entire family has helped out at various events — Junefest, Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations, fundraisers, and much more. Vicky is a first Communion catechist.”
Deacon Angel and his family have invited the Ramirez-Dominguez family to dinner at the Hernandez home. “They are very appreciative of everything St. Patrick’s has done for them, “the deacon said.
Their Catholic faith is the foundation of their lives. Guillermo reflects daily on “how important it is to develop your faith.” Obstacles happen in everyone’s life, he said. “When you have a strong faith, you can face all the challenges, the difficulties.” Vicky adds, “It’s not just about the bad moments. It’s about how to face the good moments as well.”
Vicky says her motto is, “I can do this because God is with me.” Melina gave her mom a bookmark as a gift and Vicky wrote the motto on the backside. “Some days are harder than others,” she admits. At the same time, living in a new country “is exciting for us.”
Initially, Melina was reluctant to leave Mexico. “I had good friends in Mexico and my family. I didn’t want to miss them. When I first arrived here, no one spoke (Spanish at school).” Then, “people started introducing themselves to me and I started making friends.”
Earlier this year, Melina earned first place in the MLK Oratory Competition 2025, for grades 3-5 in the Clear Creek Amana Community School District. Among her dreams, she said in her speech, is to show her friends and community the value of meeting someone new with new views.
The family holds close to its traditions from Mexico, particularly pertaining to their faith — Advent and Lent, Christmas and Easter. They honor the deceased members of their family on the Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos) on Nov. 2.
Reflecting on what it means to be an immigrant family, Guillermo said, “Everyone has a story. Everyone has a family. Everyone needs to work, to be respected, to be treated with dignity.” Vicky said, “As an immigrant family, we think about human dignity.” “We know that every country has laws that must be respected,” Guillermo added.
The stories of other immigrant families inspire the Ramirez-Dominguez family. “When you know a little bit about every story,” Guillermo said, “You discover a new book,” Vicky said, completing her husband’s thought.
