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Submitted by Anonymous on June 16, 2007 - 12:36am.

The challenge of being an undocumented college student

I am just a human being with eagerness for intellectual growth.I want to get an education to help my family and help this nation.With education come limitations, this is true for students who lack documentation. Because I lack 9 digits I cannot legally work, get a driver’s license, get financial aid, or get an internship without being asked about a background check. It is not the background check I fear because my criminal record is quite clear.My fear is that they’ll find that I am not supposed to be here. Constantly, I am being reminded about my situation. When I apply to scholarships I must make sure they don’t ask for proof of legal documentation. How many times have I felt discouraged? How many times have I felt like giving up?
To be quite frank, many, many times…So what keeps me going? What is my motivation? My drive to keep going is other students in my situation. And future college students who also want to strive for their education. My fellow college classmates who are putting their best effort. They have not given up, so my question is, why should I? I have a family, friends, and classmates who look up to me, so my decision is that I cannot give up for them and for me, I dream of one day being able to work and serve the United States which I call home. So what do I ask of you? To please support the Dream Act!

California State University San Marcos, Junior Student
Major: Human Development Emphasis in counseling services, career goal to be a Marriage Family Therapist and Art Therapist

This poem was written at a time of uncertainty, of almost losing hope, when I asked myself, and after I get my degree and cannot legally work, what? What is next? What will I do? Will I keep being a housecleaner, instead of being allowed to work in my chosen career and do what I am passionate about? Will I ever go to grad school and get masters in marriage and family therapy, or one day be an art therapist and help my clinets cope with their mental illness through art techniques.

This is the only country I know as home and have embraced by valuing my education, by learning English, doing community service, and being a hard working student. I was taught at school that the one day my hard work will pay off. I want to continue to believe that. I have chosen not to lose hope and hold on to that DREAM to one day be allowed to be a contributing member of this country’s economy and have similar opportunities as my fellow classmates. similar to many students in my situation I only ask for an opportunity…I am tired of a future of uncertainty, but regardless of my situation I will continue to work toward getting my education, to one day be that contributing member of society that I have longed to be.

Birth Year:
1986
State:
California
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