I have always wished that I was someone else.
 

I came here to the United States when I was 12. I found out that I was undocumented when I was 15; I asked my parents if I can apply for a driver's license. I didn't know how to react then, I guess I was optimistic. I told myself, "At least I'm going live a sustainable life, biking and walking." But as each opportunity became more out of reach, my optimism wore out.

I want to be someone else. Someone else with a SSN, someone who is legal, someone whose worries would not be about one's immigration status. I didn't want to make up some excuse as to why I'm not driving. Or why I can't drive down to Mexico. Or why I can't fly to out of state competitions (high school forensics). The idea that I'm not "supposed to be here" became the center of my life. I lost focus in school and turned to other (unacceptable) things.

The DREAM Act changed all of this. When I read the legislation, and when I learned that people, people with authority to change things, care for people like me, I became hopeful. I have a chance. My self doubt and self hatred vanished. And although it didn't pass then, it made me realize that I have to take an active part. Motion/movement is key: keep working towards your goal, despite the obstacles and distractions along the way. 2009 will be the year for us dreamers.

Re: I have always wished that I was someone else.
 

I'm glad you've found the necessary strength to move on & realize that it will take every Dreamer mobilized in order for this "act" to become "law" & hopefully those "unacceptable things" aren't enough to tarnish your 'good moral character'.

Welcome to DAP.

Re: I have always wished that I was someone else.
 

Welcome.

The thoughts of wishing to be someone else have also crossed my mind but then again I realize that most of those people have worse problems than we do. They might seem fine from the outside but you don't know what they're dealing with in the inside.. (regrets, guilt, depression, deep secrets, etc..) so that's why I'm thankful for who I am and I will never wish I was someone else ever again. At least most of our problems will be resolved with a piece of paper but some of these people that have this "paper" might never have hope.

Re: I have always wished that I was someone else.
 

i agree, good words everyone