For the first time, i will share my story.

Dear Dreamers,

I am a 16 year old girl from Venezuela, my parents brought me here when i was almost 8 years old. Moving to the US has been the greatest thing to happen to me for it has given me so many opportunities and i have met some of the greatest people, like my boyfriend of 2 years. My family is average, they pay their taxes each year, they have no debt, we are not criminals. I want to be a accepted. I want to have an identity in this country. I want my hard work to be rewarded. I am a respectable student, not all A's, but still on Honor Roll. I have been taking AP classes since Freshman year and am hoping to some day go to an art school and marry my boyfriend. I feel so scared and alone sometimes. I cannot drive, i don't even have my permit. Lately, i've been feeling like i'm losing friendships because i don't have a car and can't just drive everywhere. i've never had a job, and when my friends complain about going to work, i secretly wish i even had the opportunity to work. each day i thank God for keeping me alive, healthy, and hopeful. But its difficult, in a few months when i turn 17 i wont be able to go to R rated movies with my friends (they're especially excited to do this, but i don't know how to lie and tell them i can't). I have no idea how my family will afford to send me to college, i haven't visited my home country in 8 years, i haven't traveled the world like i wish i could. My sister married a man who is not her true love, just so she could help the rest of my family become legalized, i vow never to do this. I have never told a soul about my situation, i am too scared they will report me or be afraid of me. I've never even told my boyfriend, and i feel terribly guilty because of it.
some days i just want to break down and cry, because it seems there is no hope anymore. As i read through other people's stories, i cry because i feel their pain and frustration.
Let's not give up, the Dream Act has to happen someday.
And on that day, we will all live our lives to the fullest.

sweetheart, be positive, don't let this ruin your life right now, it might be hard, but like you said, you have health and a family that supports you. and we all do too. research for scholarships and ask your personal teachers or counselor to help you.
good luck.

hey hey hey now......... you will be ok...you wake up and you are able to breath and see the things around u..... ur ok....
we here are alllllll the same in the sense of having this "burden", but at the same time...there is a reason behind everything.... we are strong..
u are strong!!! your one of the best actresses out there...and I say this, because sadly but then in a rather cool way that is how we live our lives...
im 25..and i remember what is was like to be your age and have everyone around me go to the movies..and drive...complain about jobs so that they would have money for prom..
having to lie to the bf...butttttttttttttttttt thhings will be ok..... u wake up....there is a reason why u are awake..there is a reason why u are here...
own it...take power of it....yes it may seem like an oxy moron statement..because in a sense we lack some power...but...this is your oprah story!!!! we will make it out of this one day..but until then....this is what makes everyone of us unique special people..this is what makes our accomplishments..our ability to go to school...make friends... live in our "bubbles" even more unique...!!.... it took me years to realize this...... we have to embrace this in order to move ahead...and things always fall into place when maybe we least expect it.....)...

Dont give up. I was your age. I am 18 now but when i went to highschool same thing happened. You see i came here when i was 3 or so. I lived in Nebraska with ppl who took us in. They were white. I moved to Ks after. i spoke perfect english and spanish. I have no accent nothing. I was the captain of my cheerleading squad and i was an excellent student. I never told anyone about my status. I was so afraid of telling anyone..I didnt even befriend any mexicans at school because i didnt want anyone to misjudge me. I started dating my bf who is white..such an amazing guy we have been together for 5 yrs. i couldnt figure out how to tell him i think you know that when hes the one u sorta get a feeling..so i did. and he was soooo understanding.. he told me idc. i luv u for who u are and not where u were born. I still drove even without a license i had to be super careful!! but when i told my bf about my status he drove me everywhere. I would use the excuse i dont have time to get my license..or my parents wont let me get one until i can pay for a car or till im 18. Keep ur head up girl! thats all u can do! and do very good at school keep a 3.0!! things will change!!