Saving Up and Waiting

Hey, I'm glad I found this website. I always thought I was the only one.. or one out of few. I'm not very familiar with any of this, but over the years I've come to know some things.

I arrived to the US when I was about 15/16, I don't remember. I'm racially Chinese, but grew up in Belize since I was a kid. My country is a failing country and my parents decided to send me to Chicago for school to save my life. At that time I didn't know that we had to be given permission to be in a certain place. I didn't know about deadlines and visas. I was sent here on a false promise by one of my family members to help me apply for status (promise I was not aware of until later) but when I arrived, they did nothing. I went to High School for about two years in Chicago (starting sophomore and graduating as a junior). We all came here on legal visas, but just over stayed.

In my late Junior year is when I found out about all these legality issues, due to constant field trip forms and some things I weren't allowed to attend because I didn't have a ssn. I felt horrible. I asked teachers that I trusted about the matter and obtained some information. Then, I confronted my family and they revealed the information to me. By that time, I couldn't leave. If I left I was not allowed to come back and my education would suffer. So I was stuck there.

I had to lie to friends about myself. I felt like a criminal. When my friends asks me why I don't have a car, I just say we don't have the money or some other excuse. I still feel bad about being here illegally. I very much dislike the limitations and have to live with it everyday.

I moved to a different state for College. Graduated with an AA (paying out of state tuition), and right now I am working full time to save up for my BA. I am very happy to have found this website and all of you! I really hope we will talk and figure things out.

My parents and three siblings also moved here later, because there are many risks in Belize. We are all of no status, but we have tried our best to manage.
I don't live with my parents, I work full time elsewhere. I help them pay some bills and at the same time save for my continuing college. It saddens me that I'm missing out on my youth. My friends are hanging out enjoying college and life, but I'm stuck in a low wage restaurant worried about being caught, how to pay bills for my siblings and parents. I work 10 hour shifts Sun - Thurs. and 11hours shifts from Fri - Sat.
I haven't seen them since I graduated with my AA. Most of my friends don't know my situation I feel that they might look down on me after knowing.

I'm not sure if this is how any of you guys feel and go through with it daily. I'm glad I found out about the In State Tuition for us in this site. This gives me hope that I can go back to school soon.

I always hope to see something on the news about a rewarded passage for students, good students. Maybe a driver's or work permit for us, even if we're illegal. I mean, we're just kids.. who's trying to do well in school and survive. We didn't commit arson or murder. Though, I understand that.. I also know many don't see it that way. In their way, what we did is in a way breaking the law. So, I do feel like a felon sometimes when I put myself in their thinking process.

I hope this wasn't too much ^^'

"I had to lie to friends about myself. I felt like a criminal. When my friends asks me why I don't have a car, I just say we don't have the money or some other excuse. I still feel bad about being here illegally. I very much dislike the limitations and have to live with it everyday."


I know how you feel KirbyTank, i do feel the same way, EVERYDAY. I feel like a criminal. I too had entered this country illegaly at age 3... now that i'm finally 18 and a senior who's about to graduate this JUNE, I gotta think about college... It scares the s**t out of me driving without a license, but i do my best not to get caught. Still! we have to suck it up and look forward to the DREAM ACT BILL.. MY american dream is to be a homicide detective one day, I know i'll full fill it, but i also have to face the fact that this process takes time... I hope congress passes the dream act bill, i just hope that they're thinking about how much we undocumented teens suffering =/

Our collective will and perseverance will soon pay off. Keep your hopes up! It is what keeps us going. Now we have the biggest chance ever to get the DREAM ACT passed. Get the word around and ask your friends and family to take action by calling/emailing/faxing/writing Congressperson to support and pass the Dream Act. We could not let the 'anti's' outcall us! One has even 'invaded' the DREAM ACT 2009 Cause on Facebook. I just got txt msg from FIRM's mobile action network to make some more calls to congresspersons at 866-584-3962 to support the DREAM ACT. Let's do it!

@QUOVADIS2009 and 5thWard,

I think we all are doing our best to pass this bill, and I will try also. I think we are all sucking it up. If we weren't, we'd be delinquents instead of trying to find more info here.

@SalazarJay90,

I hear you. Recently I was involved in a Robbery, where I helped the detective track the Burglar down, he said he'd interview me and hire me but I had to turn it down without revealing my purpose. It's disappointing but nothing can be done at this moment I suppose.. except get the word around to support this act. It's lucky you get to drive lol. My parents/family won't even let me touch the driver's seat for more than 3 secs. xD

I think I'll join the cause on facebook and invite many friends to join as well. I wasn't aware of that.

Stay strong!

^^^^^
You know, maybe I'm wrong.. But, your nickname is like creole for saying.. "son of a ..b....." lol

Erase / Rewind

Of course and I'll try to let some of my friends know too. Some of the ones that I really trust know about my situation and they're willing to try.