I'm a dreamer.
A dreamer not only because I'm chasing after my dreams, but also because of my legal status.
I am part of the community of dream chasers, in a country that continues to limit our abilities to keep growing and maintains a lot of closed doors for us.
Similarly to many, I was brought to the United States with no voice or choice. I had no idea what I was going to go through, or what it meant to see my family and friends one last time when my parents said I was going to move here. My parents brought me to this country, putting me through a risky journey because they believed I would be able to fulfill a greater level of education. Today, I choose this platform to speak on behalf of many who until today fear a change of status, a change of future, a change of life.
According to the Pew Research Center, the American population held approximately 11.3 percent of illegal immigrants in 2014; unfortunately, this number continues to increase on a daily basis. That percentage is made up of parents, siblings or spouses, who decided to settle in a country where they believed opportunities would be equally given.
Unlike wrongful comments made and believed by many, that percentage of people immigrated to American soil to provide their families better things that were not possible in their country. Needless to say, the ways in which they continue to contribute to the American economy, day by day.
In 2013, I saw change coming our way. As illegal immigrants, we have faced discrimination and judgments without losing what continues to keep us motivated. It was then, when a little door cracked open to many of us, after the Executive action known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was signed by President Barack Obama. Although DACA had qualifications to meet, it gave illegal immigrants of ages 15-31, a working permit serving as the necessary status to live with no fear of being deported. According to the Pew Research Center, after DACA was offered, an estimated of 5 million people have been able to legally work and report their taxes. On the other hand, it also gave me the opportunity to continue my education.
With President Obama’s executive action, I was given the chance to become closer to finalize my career with every passing semester at Brooklyn College. The eagerness I possess to pursue the greatest education possible is high. I'm grateful for the opportunity given, yet this opportunity perceives a sense of danger as we become closer to the next presidential elections to choose our next commander in chief.
Though you're still a candidate, I kindly ask you to contemplate the percentage of people who could become the future professionals of this country.
Work towards finding a better and long-term solution to maintaining our statuses and one that will eventually help our parents, as well. They deserve to be treated fairly because they’ve come to this country to work and to chase after their dreams, as well.
I ask you today to not deny us the chance to keep chasing after our dreams, to help us accomplish our goals and possibly become the first generation in our families to graduate college.
Sincerely,
A DREAMer.
