Read on Twitter
Today, August 29, 2020, marks my family’s 20th year in the United States.
I remember arriving with my parents and two younger brothers to Miami, FL like it was yesterday. Day 1 was a lunch at Burger King and a visit to Toys R Us while my dad got his SSN card.
I remember arriving with my parents and two younger brothers to Miami, FL like it was yesterday. Day 1 was a lunch at Burger King and a visit to Toys R Us while my dad got his SSN card.
We didn’t know it then — but the challenge of “making it in America” would run past 20yrs.
Two full decades filled with the challenges of settling into a new country, only to then later fear being sent back we fled amid political/economic/social unrest.
Two full decades filled with the challenges of settling into a new country, only to then later fear being sent back we fled amid political/economic/social unrest.
In 2005, after my parents were told to stop renewing their visa, a lawyer (now disbarred) told them to apply for a Green Card.
Months went by, my parents filed the application and paid the money, only to later discover the lawyer he shuttered her office and mishandled the case.
Months went by, my parents filed the application and paid the money, only to later discover the lawyer he shuttered her office and mishandled the case.
The repercussions would become clear in 2007, when I graduated from high school and wished to apply to college.
My mother and I sat in the office of an @FIU admissions officer who told us that no Green Card = no in-state tuition, which meant Is pay 3x the cost of an avg student
My mother and I sat in the office of an @FIU admissions officer who told us that no Green Card = no in-state tuition, which meant Is pay 3x the cost of an avg student
Discouraged, I rebelled that summer as anger consumed me. How was this possible? Why was this happening to me? And how would things EVER get better?
The answer came when I heard about @SenatorDurbin’s Dream Act.
The answer came when I heard about @SenatorDurbin’s Dream Act.
Now, I’ve written about how I got involved in the #immigration movement, but looking back I feel a sense of pride at everything I’ve been able to accomplish.
When people told me I wouldn’t be able to go to college, I went and graduated.
When people told me I wouldn’t be able to go to college, I went and graduated.
When people said Obama wouldn’t protect Dreamers, we organized THE FIRST SIT IN with undocumented people to push him.
When Obama gave us those protections in the form of #DACA, I went back to school to get an MPA.
When I got my MPA I joined @AmericasVoice and later @FWDus.
When Obama gave us those protections in the form of #DACA, I went back to school to get an MPA.
When I got my MPA I joined @AmericasVoice and later @FWDus.
That’s not to mention hours of fighting to help pass in-state tuition for Dreamers in Florida, and pushing to launch an online/offline campaign to hold @nbcsnl accountable when they wanted to use candidate Trump to boost their ratings.
I never thought I’d spend almost 15yrs fighting in the frontlines of #immigration + #DreamAct + #DACA — but here I am.
It’s been a road paved with politics, disagreements, wins, losses, and fear.
It’s been a road paved with politics, disagreements, wins, losses, and fear.
I’m proud to be one of the pioneers of this movement.
When people didn’t know about digital strategies, me along a couple other fearless (back then labeled radical/divisive) Dreamers went out to pave the digital landscape so that it could facilitate communication + organizing
When people didn’t know about digital strategies, me along a couple other fearless (back then labeled radical/divisive) Dreamers went out to pave the digital landscape so that it could facilitate communication + organizing
The future is uncertain — given the high stakes of the 2020 election — but I am so happy I took the risks (w/ @anjamd help!) that led me to where I am today.
The fight continues, no matter how long it takes. I hope the nay-sayers are ready... because I’m not going ANYWHERE.
The fight continues, no matter how long it takes. I hope the nay-sayers are ready... because I’m not going ANYWHERE.
If you’re reading this and draw ANY inspiration from it, then PLEASE either register to vote or make a plan to vote if you’re elegible.
https://www.vote.org/
DID BOTH? Get the word out to your friends and family.
https://www.vote.org/
DID BOTH? Get the word out to your friends and family.
