Hello from Chicago

So I've been reading this site for a while but finally decided to join and write my story since I've done nothing at work all day. Ha.

I was born in Mexico but my family has a long history in the US. My grandfather and most of my uncles were part of the bracero program back in the 50's (my grandpa has a SSN back in Guerrero, how i envy him. haha.). My father would come to the United States to work and send money to my mother and I back home. He was able to get his green card back in '86. He sent for us with the plan of applying for legal status for us once we got here and joined him. I cam in '89 when i was three years old. When my mom arrived she did not like the man that greeted us here. He was abusive and a drunk. Three months after arriving here, we left him and moved to Chicago to be close to my uncles. Out of spite, my father never applied for legal residency for us.

My mother worked hard hours at various factories to earn enough to support the both of us. I excelled at school. I was young enough were I was able to pick up the English language fairly quickly. I was put in a gifted program at the age of 5. That set me on the track to succeed. I graduated from one of the best high schools in the state of Illinois with a 4.0 GPA. There was no doubt in my mind that I would have had the grades and test scores ( I got a 32 on my only attempt of the ACT) to go to a prestigious university. But alas, my status would dictate otherwise. Luckily, I knew some people that helped me get into college with in-state tuition (this was before Illinois signed the bill that would grant undocumented students in-state tuition). I went to the University of Illinois at Chicago as that was the only major university that I could really afford to attend. I was able to get some financial awards and some tuition waivers but it was still tough paying for school. I got a job bussing/serving tables to be able to afford my books and what not.

I graduated this past May from UIC with a degree in American History (go figure) as well as with minors in both Political Science and Latin American Studies. I originally wanted to use my history degree to teach High School history, but that didn't work out too well. I then focused on going to graduate school (took my GRE's and everything), but graduate school is even more expensive than undergrad and I just couldn't afford it. I decided that I would try and look for a job to help me save some money to be able to go to school and either get a master's in education or social work. I found a nice paying job (with full benefits!) working for a labor union. I really love working here. I've been working for a couple months now my interest in labor law has peaked due to this job and now I want to go to law school. haha. so undecisive. Anywho, I was disappointed when DREAM wasn't attached to the DoD bill but then I remembered that I have been a Cubs fan since I was about seven years old and I should be used to disappointment and that there's always next year (but just like the Cubs, this is DREAM's year!). Go Cubs! Go DREAM! I'll be getting drunk tonight watching the Cubs play and hopefully I'll be getting drunk in November celebrating a Cubs World Series and DREAM Act (I might have just jinxed us. d'oh).

lmao welcome to dap...i will be getting drunk also in nov. when dream passes

Welcome fellow Chicagoan! Do you actually live in the city or are you from the surrounding area? I'm glad you joined... I like you already since you're a Cubs fan! I will be watching the game tonight as well You never know... this could be both the Dream's and the Cubs year. But if i had to choose... I'd definitely want Dream to pass haha. (I swear I'm a loyal Cubs fan... but this is our future and we don't have many opportunities for it to pass)

Anyway... I'm rambling... but welcome to the forum again!

LOL! Yeah am throwing a party too when DREAM passes...man can you imagine!?!..that will be a GREAT day...

Thank you all. I am actually from the city. I've lived IN chicago since i was three. Though I grew up on the southside, and being a Cubs fan was a big NO NO (what's a little adversity i say). And I would much rather have DREAM pass too (as much as I love my beloved Cubs, it IS just a sport and not people's lives).

Hey, im a political science major and minor in Latin American Studies and i also work for a Labor Union here in CA. What do you do for the union?

I work in the dues department. It's essentially clerical work... it's kind of boring sometimes (like today). But it's cool when I have stuff to do and when I get somewhat involved in hearing about the grievances and what not. I'm still definitely on the low end of the totem pole. haha. what do you do?

I work in the Research Department. I originally got here with a paid intership and they hired me as a part time after that. I have been fairly involved, alot of the research i do is for organizing or negotiation campaigns. I love it here, but i don't know how long i will be here for.

Yeah, I think most of the people in this forum who have jobs feel that way. At least we're doing the best of what we can until DREAM passes!

^^^ Osito peluche... lol. Sounds like we have a few things in common. I was brought here at age 3 from Mexico as well. I too was in a gifted program in Elementary school ... etc...
How did u get a job with benefits despite your "undocumented" status. Oh!... My uncles live a few hours from Chicago too!