Students for Fair Consideration

A year ago, I hadn’t realized just how significant my immigration status was to my life. I was a part of the thousands of senior high school students who were in the process of applying to various universities across the nation. I was a part of the thousands who received acceptance and rejection letters. I was a part of the thousands who dwelt over the dilemma and choices of which university to attend and spend the next four years our lives. My joys and sorrows were felt by so many around me. There was a a comfort in belonging in the majority. When the issue of financial aid arose, I found myself a part of only a handful of students. I found myself identifying with a new group, a group which I had realized late in the game: undocumented students striving to pursue higher education.

Seven years ago, my mother, brother, and I arrived in the United States in the hopes of reuniting with our father.  We arrived under the V-Visa created by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act of 2000.  The V-Visa allows for spouses and children to wait for permanent residency within the United States. And seven years later, my mother, brother, and I are still not permanent residents.  Our new life in America was not as easy as we dreamed it would be. My family suffered through near-homelessness and financial difficulties. Thankfully with Section 8 assistance, my family was able to have a roof over our heads. Since then, my parents had instilled in me the belief that I would be in a position to better my future with the right education. I believed them and poured my heart and soul into my education. I worked hard and found myself being offered acceptances to universities left and right.

I felt so lost. It seemed like my only option was to continue my education at the local community college. Nothing was wrong with that. But the feeling of working so hard for nothing crushed my spirits. I never thought that I would be declined the right “to pursue happiness” here in America. Slowly, the walls around my world began to collapse. Thankfully, I was surrounded by people who genuinely supported and cared for me. They encouraged me to not lose hope and to continue my fight for my own future. I applied to all of the scholarships I could apply to–relatively very few due to the restriction of my lack of permanent residency. Fortunately, my hard work paid off and I earned enough scholarships to fund my first year of college. I am now a student at the University of California, Berkeley striving for my own dreams and aspirations despite the obstacles posed by my own immigration status.

Last weeked during the Students for Fair Consideration boot camp, a fellow ambassador, Ju Hong, had said that while other students were “walking” through their lives, we (undocumented students) are “running” through ours. Our battles daily are great. Our victories are even greater. I continue my marathon to today in hopes that my future will be bright. No–it will be bright.