My story.

I'd like to share my experience with living in the shadows.

Currently, I'm a junior majoring in Economics & Business and minoring in Computer Science.
I came to the United States when I was ten years old with my mother and sister, and have been continually residing in this country for more than a decade.

I graduated as the valedictorian from my high school, but until April of my senior year, I was very lost and confused about my future prospects. I contemplated not attending traditional universities and instead wanted to enroll in a welding school. However, my counselor (a flaming liberal) confronted me one day, asking me why I haven't started any college applications. I reluctantly told her my story, and instead of shunning me, she embraced me and assisted in finding me a college.

My grades were not an issue; I scored the highest amongst my peers in many standardized tests, and had plenty of volunteer experiences. Finances were an obstacle, though.

In one public college I was interviewed at, I'd been able to attend for free (even get paid) had I been a legal resident. I was sorely disappointed, but a better college offered me a significant amount of money much later on. I was naturally relived and later on, I even got a chance to study at Harvard for a summer semester.
Suddenly, not having any papers didn't seem like too much of a problem. I no longer brooded on the faint possibility of policemen knocking down our door and dragging us away, and found a much more positive attitude concerning life.

I do have regrets about the choices I have made.

I listened to hate, and I got discouraged when I should have gritted my teeth and worked on growing up- I had a breakdown over the failure of our favorite piece of legislation, taking a good while to climb out of that hole. I felt weak and cried whenever I heard of my friends' college plans, while I should have been filing my own common app out. I was afraid to tell a girl how much I cared about her; becoming filled with anger and jealousy instead of compassion.

I don't ever want to make those sorts of mistakes again. Dream act or not, I plan on doing my best, and never give up on myself.

Welcome.

Hi Haiku!

Wow, this was such an amazing story. Thank you SO much for sharing and I hope all your plans will come true one day. (We'll leave the dreams to those under 18 ).

thats one cool story, you really have to get legalized so that soon you can be one of the example stories for the dream act and immigrantion as a whole, good luck finishing up your bachelors

great story. Wish I had the resolve as you. good luck!