Mi Historia

Well first of all I would have to say that I am very very blessed. Gods blessings are just pouring down on my life every day and definitely with all this that's happening in my life right now I am very thankful.

My mom was pregnant with me and my parents decided to go back to Mexico before I was born. I came I Mexico when I was 4 years old. I was born in Mexico and raised in a small country town.
I don't really remember when or how I realized I was undocumented but it was maybe in 8th -9th grade when I actually understood the situation I was in. 10th grade I fully understood that I wasn't like the rest of my friends and that I wasn't going to have the same opportunities as them. Being just one of like five hispanics in the school I always felt that I just didn't fit in. I never ever told anyone that I was undocumented throughout high school but every now and then I would think about how my friends would react if I did.

One of the things I always tried to avoid at school is when everyone would start to talk about how they got their learner's permit/driver's license. Everyone would always talk about it and then the conversation would get to me and they ask "How come you don't have your driver's license yet?" And I would have to make an excuse about my parents wanting me to not drive until I graduate or I don't have a car so why have a driver's license. Then they would ask "But you do have your learners, right?" I unfortunately would lie and say yes because then they would probably ask more questions and I unfortunately just wanted the questions to stop.

My senior year was full of tears, frustration, stress, and also happiness.It was time to take the SATs,start applying for colleges, start filling out scholarship applications,etc... I definitely wasn't ready but now that I think back it wasn't that bad. I did very well on the SATs. I applied to 3 colleges and got accepted to all of them. I applied to a couple of scholarships and didn't get any. Scholarships are so hard to find for people like us and most definitely when you are in the state of Georgia. I went through my senior year with my head low because I knew that if I wasn't in with the crowd and everything no questions would be asked and everything would be alright. I would finish high school in good terms. I recently just graduated on May 17th and I am just proud that I have achieved at least one of mine and my parents goals.

High school was full of ups and downs and I'm glad I got through it but now it's time for me to face the real world.I got approved for DACA earlier in the year and well i just got my learners permit. I'm learning how to drive an Im really just excited for what's to come. Everything that my friends experienced in high school I will be experiencing this summer. The whole getting a learners permit, getting a license, getting a car, getting a bank account, an getting a debit card, etc. That's my story and there's still more because its just beginning. I still have college and well right now I'm just figuring out how that exactly is going to work out but I'm ready. It's just another obstacle I have to face in my life.

I do not really get why the title of this thread is in Spanish. Use English and don't alienate others here who aren't Hispanic/Latino as I'm not sure how welcomed they feel if the title is in another language.

We've all been through what you have been. You got lucky you didn't get to experience the real terror of being undocumented which only worsens after high school.

I realized I was undocumented at the age of 5 and I thought of the ICE police coming and taking me away while I was at school. I was a terrorized 5 yr old in school afraid of ICE coming to get him. I actually kid you not that as soon as I started school this really showed. My first 2 months in school(kindergarten) I had a bunch of sick days and had my uncle(who was here legally with a license) have to come pick me up during the day because I was throwing up and shaking. The teacher probably thought I was abused at home or something to that effect now that I look back at it. I still do not even feel comfortable discussing any of these topics with anyone from my family to this day and I have never told anyone I know in real life how much this has really affected me.

I became socially retarded due to my fear, insecurities and situation when I hit 16. I had severe depression but I faked my way through it and pretend to be a lazy idiot instead. People only questioned if I was really a lazy idiot when they saw my exam scores not reflecting my poor grades.

During my second year in college I manage to get a single dorm room and got away with my depression since I didn't have to put an act but not having to put up an act probably only really showed how bad it was .I hid this from my family, my grades suffered, and my family has no clue how much money I threw away having to withdraw from the uni during those semesters. I'm guessing I threw away probably over 40-45k at this point.

I have never stayed in a relationship with a girl for long due to status as well. Growing up entirely in this country, being undocumented made me feel inferior, not worthy, and whatever whenever I tried entering a relationship. People just thought I was socially awkward, when the reality was more like I felt scared about my status and inferior than scared of a girl. Girls never faced me like I see for so many people who are scared of them. I was scared of myself more than I was scared of anyone.


Right now at 23 I'm barely on my way to finishing my degree and to this day I have still only taken out a learners permit instead of getting a license. My job history is poor as shit and I feel now that any girl will realize how inexperienced I am at a long term relationship since my motto was to keep girls at a distance.

So when I say you got easy I mean it. The only thing I really learned from all my crap is that you have to get past your mistakes and do your best from now on. So I wish you good luck and hope that from me sharing bits of my pathetic life others feel a little motivate during their hard times.

I tried sharing my story with other people, but I've found out those who haven't experienced it can't really relate so they don't empathize. I guess this is why I share bits of my story online here sometimes. Everyone goes through a hard point in their life and reading someone in a similar situation struggled and overcame it must help them feel better. Like I said earlier, I wish you good luck in your future. Thanks for sharing.

I find it hard to believe anyone could grow up to such a age without knowing they aren't legal, in all honesty I new since I had reason I wasn't legal maybe because my parents always reminded me of how far I could ever go because of it. In a way I grew up feeling inferior to others because of it and even after getting this deffered action I cant help feel nothings really changed I'm still at a disadvantage. I can relate to Oranges there the moment you realize you have literally no where to start, lol same here with not having job history, a car and missing out on dating as a teenager because I had to stay outta trouble I'm 22 clueless and just hoping I get a break .

Like you all have put here, only very few people understand us. Even though thankfully I've been a bit luckier than you (I overstayed my visa, so before I was able to go back to Mexico and visit family, travel a bit).

During my senior year in high school (ten years ago), I think I zoned out, blocking myself from reality. I didn't really try to apply to any university or college since I knew I wasn't going to be able to attend and pay for it. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know anybody who had been in the same situation, so nobody was there to tell me or somewhat guide me to take a decision. I think had I been a bit more realistic (mature maybe?), I would've gone back to Mexico (I have family that would've been able to help and support me). I'm grateful that my brother took that decision a few years ago, and he's doing really good. If only...

I got a job a year after graduating (after doing some odd jobs and helping my parents) and have been working ever since. It's a bit ironic how I've been able to hold a job longer than many of my 'legal' family members. Go figure.

Time goes by, then you realize many things, you mature, you grow up...you stop feeling sorry for yourself and you start moving on. I started school in Spring 2011 and I couldn't be happier (and busier). DACA has given me a push to keep on going, but just like I could be approved, I also could not, and I have thought about that (you should too) and what would happen if CIR doesn't pass. It's not about being pessimistic, but about being realistic. I would recommend to go go school before 25, don't wait too long.

I don't think your goal was to alienate anybody, in my opinion, I didn't mind that your title was in Spanish (assuming that you'd care what I or anyone else has to say about it ) That's not the point, the point is your story. The last part got me... because I've caught myself thinking the same thing "I'm finally catching up on what everyone else has been through" Getting their first job, getting a license, a car... all summarized in a summer.. it's exciting. I truly do wish you the best of luck in everything you do! Everyone has a challenge to face... unfortunately this was ours. That's life, let's just make the best of it