my story

A little history about me,

I was brought here like many other dreamers at a young age. My sister and I lived in East LA for a short time until we moved to a better part of LA. Unlike some others like me, I did know about my legal status from a very young age. Because of this situation, I was constantly living in fear of being exposed and was very shy as a result of it. I can truly say that living in the shadows of society has an effect psychologically. It feels like I am always hiding something from people that I wish I didnt have to. Despite these challenges I still have the ambition to prove to myself and others that we Dreamers can still get ahead in life.

I have noticed throughout this time that not only am I in the same situation as many others but I also have built the same character as them. We share the same ambitions to prove wrong to those that doubt us, to be something more than a stereotype we have been potraited in the media. I learned to stop feeling sorry for myself and pick myself up from this mental prison we have all been placed in. Ironically in many ways it has made me stronger to deal with challenges in life. My hope is that it doesn't beat me to the ground.

The Dream Act is currently the only hope we all have. Thanks to senators like Durbin, we have a voice. Although I have a college degree and a mind that rivals others, it is standing idle. I can't get a job, I can't get an ID or travel outside the country. It's the things that are taken for granted that affect my life the most. I am tired of seeing my "legal" friends move on in life to better jobs, new experiences, and better opportunities while I watch them go. In the past years the Dream Act has failed several times and each time our hope has been brought down.

This time I am taking action and I urge all others to do the same. We can't stand aside and watch the opposition make calls to senators and get active while we stand around and feel sorry for ourselves. Action is the word to live by, nothing in history has been changed without someone taking action. So we must do the same and make the calls, send the emails, etc. I urge everyone to get up and do anything they can because I believe this time it is the last time we can really make a change.

Peace,

Jaime.

Erase / Rewind

Thank you for sharing your story. One thing that bonds all of us is the drive we all have to beat the odds.

Welcome to DAP and thanks for sharing your story!
All of us here can relate to it and we're all working hard because sadly i'm afraid i agree with you when you say "this might be the last chance we have"
Welcome!

wow jaime. its almost as if you took your words out of my mouth. except for the college degree. but if you really are intersted to make a change this year you have come to the right place. here, you will be motivated to take part of our campaign. ive also learned to stop feeling sorry for myself and to get on with my life. so welcome!

First, welcome and yeah i'm with you on this one. We need to do something fast. If we want things to change with need to take some action and not just feel sorry for ourselves. Does anyone know where to send email or make calls?

And we NEED change now. I'm almost 18 and I cannot wait any longer. The clock will start ticking for me pretty soon. We have to prove all those doubters wrong. But we need a chance to prove ourselves first.