glad to find this forum

i happened to accidently find this forum for undocumented americans while browsing the internet and I'm really glad i did. I've been an undocumented american for 13 years and never met or known another undocumented person except my mom and 2 sisters. Not even my best friend of over 10 years knows. It's hard been a little kid and knowing that you have a big secret that you cannot share , having to always lie about visiting your home country and unable to explain to friends why your family is so poor when you're mother is so educated. growing up i always thought this mess would be resolved by the time i was in high school, 19 now and its not a reality.

I consider myself lucky though, because if i had never been a victim of civil and human rights violations I wouldnt have the burning desire in my heart to be an activist and a future public servant or the drive to succeed in everything i do. I believe everything happens for a reason and been undocumented can be the biggest blessing in disguise if used correctly to achieve your goals. I know that when i grow up I would be able to inspire a lot of people with my story and it'll help me understand and identify other types of civil and human rights violations happening to other people thanks to the unique perspective i have.
I moved to seattle to have a driver liscense and nothing but good has from my move. I have an awesome paying job as a nanny , live in a great neighborhood, have a valid DL, own a car and living as close to a normal life as i can.
But I also hear about the horrible things that can happen to people from been undocumented americans that are a little bit older. Like my sister that when she saw she was stuck at a fast food joint without been able to pay for community college after high school decided to throw herself away and got into this mind set that theres no way to succeed, currently homeless sometime i think by choice but I'm positive living a lie for a life has its own psychological affects on some people.

I do think we'll be able to win this fight and i would hope more lawyers would get on this case since it is illegal to prosecute children for crimes they did not commit. And when i was brought to the u.s on a visitor visa , homeland security shouldve tracked me down and put me on back on a plane the day I began over staying , to ensure my safety as the child I was. But since I believed they failed to do that , it is now their duty to own up to their mistakes and find a real solution for my problem .

welcome =] i found this forum on accident too, theres a lot of valuable info on here.i've been undocumented for 12 years now and your story is very similiar to mine exept my mother kept all the info about being undocumented from me until i was 16. ignorance is a bliss as before 16 i was pumped about getting a license, getting a job on an internship, etc.. im almost 18 now and none of that is becoming a reality. Not having a SSN has prevented me from getting necessary certifications for the occupation i want to achieve. For now tho i'm just gonna work on getting a DL from NM or WA and keep searching for a job until the dreamact passes. if i may ask how hard was it to get a DL in seattle? like if i were to attempt to get a DL there what documents would you suggest i bring?

Good to hear your guys story, this place is awesome for information and just being able to speak your mind... Glad you guys found this site bc I am truly glad I did. Definetly been able to speak my mind.

welcome melpw,
I am glad you found this forum I was also very grateful to have found it and to know there are many others like us. You happened to mention something I tell myself everyday to keep up the hope, that this is happening for a reason and it is giving us the fuel and desire to not stop dreaming and the driving force to ultimately reach our dreams and goals with great success. If you don't mind where do you live? since you mention that the only people that you know that are illegal is you family. you can PM. Also look at all the useful information on what you can do to help( email senators and congressmen, call them as well as getting others involved)

She said she lives in Seattle.

Anyway, glad you guys found this site. Please be sure to check out the Taking Action section of the DAP to get involved with the things you can do now to help pass the DA.