Blanca Kling is the Montgomery County Police Department’s Hispanic media liaison, and a Spanish-language radio talk show host. She came to the United States from Bolivia at age 17, when her father, a general in the Bolivian army, was asked to represent Bolivia at the Inter-American Defense Board in D.C. He left shortly thereafter and Kling stayed to continue her education even though that meant she was here illegally. Nowa U.S. citizen, she uses her experience to encourage immigrants to work with the police to solve crimes.
What were your first days in the U.S. like?
I went to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, where I enrolled as a sophomore because my English was not fluent enough for me to enroll as a senior.
I cried in class, I had no idea what was being said there. I missed my home, my school, my friends. It was very, very hard.
Why did you choose to stay when your dad’s work took him back to Bolivia?
I didn’t want to go back because I wanted to continue studying here. It turned out that I fell in love with the United States.
How did you change your immigration status?
I applied for a green card working as an accountant. In those days people needed babysitters and housecleaners, not accountants, so my petition was denied … so I worked as a babysitter for a couple who sponsored me and I went to study computers.
What sort of perceptions do people from other countries have of police?
Many people are very afraid of police. … In some countries police take bribes because their salaries are so low. … I’m trying to be proactive in getting it out that we’re not interested in immigration status and we want them to report crime.
How does your experience affect your work now?
I think this is where God wants me to be. I am very proud to be a part of the police department. –
