I'm not going to sit here waiting

For some racist rednecks to finally give in and give us hope for the future, because it simply will not happen.

The economy is on the verge of another collapse, and that will make it even more difficult finding employment for people in our situation, it will also make it less likely that anything will get done in terms of immigration. Unless it's something that has to deal with securing the border and making it tougher on us. For those of you that already have a college degree then good for you, move back to your country of origin and make something happen for you, but don't sit around waiting for something to come to you.

I came to this country when I was 8, I grew up here and call this country home. However I have come to the realization that if I keep waiting then I'll probably waste away my life. I'm currently 21 and I will not wait any longer. I'm leaving in December. I don't give a f&ck if I get banned from entering again because I don't even want to return. There is another world out there outside the good ole US of A.

I'm not going to keep waiting for things to happen, I'm going to make them happen, and I hope some of you do the same, and stop living in fear and just do something to change your situation, even if it's not what you ideally want. It's better than just waiting and waiting because soon you'll hit 30 and will look back and realize and regret wasting your life waiting for some rednecks to feel pity for you.

I mean god damn, we can't even drive anywhere without being in constant fear of getting caught...

what kind of life is this?

why not come out of the shadows, it may not seem like much, but buying a plane ticket and just leaving feels like giving up all hope and accepting defeat.

Everyone here has a different situation, and I understand that, some of us may not be able to just get out of the shadows and state our case, but for those of us who have not committed a crime, those of us who have gone through education, spent a lot of money and resources to be here and feel frustrated and angry at not finding anything for all our hard work, why not channel that anger and turn it into something that may be positive for everyone?

I am not saying to post your information on here and leave it at that (don't do that please), I am saying to start by letting those close to you, those who you believe to be real close friends, to let them know of your status if you are going to the extreme of already buying the plane ticket to leave. start with those close friends and start going further along and letting others know of your situation, and slowly come out of the shadows to the community.

I have been tired, frustrated and angry at the direction government has taken, but I have channeled that anger and I am currently working with other undocumented students in my university to create a couple organizations, I am coordinating with organizations around the community and nationwide to bring the issue to a school that has not said a single word about this issue in my four years of attendance, and hopefully demonstrate to many that as undocumented immigrants we do not all fit the biased stereotype they have placed us in. We are not incapable of success, or leadership or education, we are people from all over the world, and we are as capable as anyone else to learn and contribute to the economy and the community.

There are dreamers all over the country demonstrating and getting arrested, with the support they have built from the community they usually get released fairly quickly, see if you can find an organization near where you live, attend one of their meetings or meet with one of their members and see what can be done.

I know many things are not equal but have you tried any of the suggestions on this board like getting an international driver's license or a passport from your 'home' country in order to at least have a valid ID?

I drive around everywhere, I have a crap job, and go to school. I know I'm fortunate but
I can't live a "Good life" like all my other friends.

But I know a lot and have met so many people that have helped me out along the way.

I won't let these people make me feel weak. I'm not leaving until I secured a future for my family and I'm going out without a fight.

^^ this!

It's not about them making you feel weak, its about them preventing you from reaching your full potential.

What I like to tell my fellow undocumented brothers and sisters is that just because some of them may have been here longer than other undocumented individuals, they shouldn't feel privileged because in the eyes of law enforcers we are all fucked equally even if we speak English and are pursuing an education. To succeed as an undocumented immigrant you need to think like one that just entered the country. The mindset of an undocumented immigrant who came here as a teenager or young adult is different from that one of one that came as a child in the sense that the older immigrant had to emotionally prepare to accept the fact that he or she would have to face the risk of being deported, with time they established a routine and despite not being able to get rid of the fear of getting deported they managed to mitigate it simply because their objectives are slowly but surely being accomplished. You may have mixed feelings about your identity in this country but it doesn't matter one bit because feelings can sometimes hinder your progress and you need to think objectively. The place where you belong in right now is here because you wouldn't be here if you weren't lost or hadn't yet accomplished something that would make your life abroad a possibility, if this isn't the case what the hell are you doing? Stop leaving your future to a greater chance, to possibilities like the DREAM act, stop thinking in terms of groups and start worrying about yourself and what you can do to improve your quality of life.

Remember, it is completely OK to be afraid of being deported, being afraid of the unknown, what's not OK is doing absolutely nothing because of it. Fear of being deported could be analogous to being afraid of dying, you never know when it's going to finally happen but yet you throw it to the back of your mind because the fact is that while you are still alive you have to keep moving forward simply because you can.

Now, you have to be more aggressive and smart with your general life tactics, what exactly can you do to feel more at ease with your situation, have you set your priorities in life, do you have goals? For one, the language barrier is no longer there. You can apply to many different jobs even if they are not ideal or related to your studies and simply get hired or and at worst not. You can find a room closer to your place of work, thus limiting the traveling distances and as a result lowering your chances of getting pulled over. You can put off institutionalized education for a little while so you can work on something through computers and be able to make money at your own place and eventually go back to university. You can also work your ass off for a few years to save enough money to afford a college education. Whatever your goal you need a job in order to finance the adoption of your new skills or simply to save enough money for the day when you finally get deported or decide to get married (even out of need) comes.

Even if you limit your exposure to the outside world you could still get sent to a detention facility simply because you wanted to get ice cream or you were on your way to class and just because you go out more it doesn't mean that your chances of being detained are increased. There are so many things that are constant around you like the hours at which cops make their rounds or your driving skills, yet so many things could go wrong at any time like having a bad light, simply going through a police spot-check, or hitting another car... these things occur randomly, they are unpredictable but they can't stop you from living as normally as possible.

Go find a role model if you need to, it can be anyone who is undocumented, even a person with a humble job who just exudes self-confidence, talk to them, learn from them; just because you may be more educated than they are does not mean that you are not in the same boat as they are, hell, you might even get deported earlier lol. You can only change your attitude about this ordeal (meh, this is not really an ordeal, just a different life challenge) by learning from other people and forcing yourself through these common uncomfortable situations like applying for jobs or becoming more socially involved. If you don't do something you'll only be stuck with yourself and your old same habits and perspectives. Remember, memento mori so carpe fucking diem.

Our life is one that very few people other than fellow dreamers will ever be able to understand. My closest friend are aware of my situation, and I've come to realize that it only frustrates and sadness them to know what i am going through. I had two very high level jobs in the housing industry, pre and post the bubble bursting. I lost both jobs due to my status. My employers where very sad to let me go, but there was very little they could do. I have been out of employment for two years now.

We should stop dreaming and face the reality of the situation. In the current economical and political climate the possibility of something happening to help our situation is very remote. Everything can be reduced to one fact, Republicans feel they don't need and much less want us in this country. Not until they change this mentality nothing will be done.

I hate to sound pessimistic, but its just the truth, I've been waiting 24 years now for something to happen and thus far not a shred of hope is left. The decision to try and make it somewhere else should not be looked at as giving up, but as looking at other options. Leaving is something I am contemplating too. Id rather have a shot at making something happen for me somewhere else, that wait around for something that might never happen.

I applaud your post and that's why a Quoted the whole thing. This mentality is what we need to do better everyday. Let's not forget that we are not the first or the last immigrants that this country has mistreated. But if history is correct this struggle will make us stronger and wiser on the roads of life.