Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
December 28 , 2024
Los Angeles — The multi-million-dollar Mega Millions jackpot has been claimed by a Guatemalan migrant living inn California, an undocumented worker whose life was marked by uncertainty, but whose fortunes have now changed dramatically.
The winning ticket, worth an astounding $1.2 billion, was purchased at a small convenience store in Los Angeles, a city already famous for its diverse immigrant population. The individual, identified only as "Carlos," has chosen to remain anonymous due to his status as an undocumented migrant. However, in an exclusive interview, he revealed that the win has transformed his life and ended years of anxiety about his future in the United States.
"I'm still in shock," Carlos said through an interpreter, his voice filled with emotion. "But now, I no longer have to fear that one day, I could be taken away from everything I've built here. I can live in peace."
Carlos, 34, came to the U.S. from Guatemala nearly a decade ago, fleeing poverty and violence in his home country. Like millions of others, he lived in the shadows, working low-wage jobs to support his family back home, and sending remittances whenever possible. He has spent years without legal status, navigating life with the constant anxiety that he could be detained and deported at any time.
Carlos’ legal status, though often a barrier to access basic services and rights, will not prevent him from claiming his winnings. Lottery winners in California are not required to be U.S. citizens or legal residents to claim their prize. This has raised questions among some legal and policy experts about how the funds will be taxed and what legal hurdles Carlos might face in the future.
“I’m just thankful that I don’t have to worry about being sent back. For so long, that was my nightmare,” Carlos explained, a slight smile creeping across his face. “Now, I can help my family and live a life without fear. But I also know this money comes with responsibility."
Carlos has already reached out to legal professionals to help him navigate the complex process of ensuring that his newfound wealth is protected and that he can contribute to his community in meaningful ways.
Several immigration advocates have pointed out that Carlos’ situation highlights the glaring inequities in the current system. “It’s a shame that so many hardworking people like Carlos live in fear, contributing so much to this country without the security that they deserve,” said Ana Gutierrez, a spokesperson for a local immigrant rights organization. “While this jackpot is an incredible stroke of luck for him, it’s also a reminder that our immigration system needs serious reform.”
As Carlos adjusts to his newfound wealth, he has expressed an interest in making a difference in the lives of other immigrants like him. He has already pledged a portion of his winnings to community organizations that assist undocumented migrants with legal assistance and advocacy.
“I know this money can change my life,” Carlos said, "but I also know that the struggle for many of us is far from over. I want to help others who are still living with fear every day.”
As for his future in California, Carlos says he plans to invest in his family’s future, and perhaps even begin the long process of securing legal status, although he knows that such a journey could take years. Regardless, he is determined to live out his American dream—one that no longer includes the weight of deportation hanging over him.
“Now, I can finally breathe,” he said. “And for the first time in my life, I don’t have to be afraid.”
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