Continue reading »]]> We are about to go into the 2nd day of New York’s Coming Out Of The Shadows Week..

Angy’s poem and Sara’s story touched us and has made us feel like we are not alone in this.

Below are some steps for those who are thinking of coming out “undocumented”, “unafraid” and “unapologetic”; along with a special message from the NYSYLC :)

* Stay tuned for more Coming Out stories.

DON’T FORGET TUESDAY IS: TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT YOU WANT A NEW YORK STATE DREAM ACT!!
Lets take over their phone lines!

Find your State senator: http://www.nysenate.gov/

Find your assembly member: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

Continue reading »]]> Tony’s Story Is Featured On Colorlines.

Drop the I-Word is featuring “I Am…” stories every day this week in honor of Coming Out of the Shadows Week and in collaboration with the National Immigrant Youth Alliance. Today’s story comes from Tony in New York. Tony learned at the early age of 13 that he didn’t have documents when he discovered that he couldn’t travel abroad to play soccer, although he was qualified. The news didn’t derail his ambitions in life; he went on to become the first person in his family to go to college. Now, Tony takes part in the radical act of coming out as undocumented, unafraid and unapologetic. “We are made to live in fear. I no longer want to live in fear, no longer in the shadows. I exist. My dreams, my voice counts. We are no different from anyone else. We are not better than anyone, and no one is better than we are.”..to Read Tony’s story here: I am FREE !

Tony’s Video:

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My name is Ericka and I Am Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic.

Since I was a kid my mother has taught me values that will help me succeed in life. In 2001, with a small bag in hand, my mother left her children, her house, and thousand of memories in Ecuador to cross the border into the United States. She was looking for a better life and for opportunities that she could not have in my country. I did not want her to leave because I would not have anyone to take care of me and my little brother. I  knew since then my life would change forever.

At the age of seven I stopped living like a normal kid and began to live as a grown up. Instead of playing with dolls I started learning how to cook, how to go to the “mercado” and buy food. At the age of seven I was a mother for my 1 year old little brother. My life was full of insults and beatings by my uncle who was an alcoholic. I stood to his abuses. Abuse that was not only against me but also towards my brother.

One shocking event happened which made my mother realize that I couldn’t live with him anymore. One afternoon when I got home from school I saw my aunt sitting in the sidewalk of my house crying. When she looked at me I knew something bad had happen.

”Your brother is dead” she told me.

To be honest I started to laugh because I thought it was a joke, but unfortunately it wasn’t. I didn’t know what to do when I saw his cold little body laying lifeless on my bed. I just started to cry. It was the hardest thing I had ever experienced. After my brother’s death my mom started to do everything in order to bring me here. Yes, I crossed the border in 2005.
On my way to New York I had to cross a river and walk under the intense sun. For two entire days I had nothing to eat but I didn’t mind it, for me everything was worth it just to be with my mother again. Once I got here I thought that nothing bad could ever happen to me again because as my mom would say “we are in the big city”. I thought everyone had the same opportunities but I was wrong. I  remember one day after school the police came to my house and arrested my mom accusing her of domestic violence. After being processed my mother was removed from our home and I went to live with one of my aunts. When my classmates found out about what happened most of them supported me but one girl said the reason my mom was arrested was because she was stealing “American jobs“ and because we were “wetbacks”. I knew that wasn’t the reason. My mom was just working the jobs that others didn’t want to do and yes she made a mistake but it’s not her fault. In my heart I know she is not a criminal.

All these experiences have encouraged me to keep going, to keep giving my best in all I do in order to make my family proud of me. I feel like all my efforts aren’t enough. When I started applying for colleges I remember one of my history teachers told me that I didn’t qualify for financial aid just because I don’t have a card with nine digits on it. That was when I understood the difference between my cousin and I. Both of us grew up together, we both crossed the border together but now she has a green card and I don’t. Therefore my chances to be the professional I always dreamt of are so little.
While I was searching for an organization to intern at I found the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC). They basically create different events in support of the Dream Act while developing leaders and helping youth like me have equal access to education. Now I am an intern at the NYSYLC and I am really glad to be here sharing my story with other students that have the same dreams as I do. I am not going to give up. I will fight until my last breath because I know we can win this fight. Hope is the last thing we lose. La esperanza es lo ultimo que se pierde!

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Angy, Thank you so much. I really appreciate reading your posts. Especially during the days when i feel like everything is going bad. I’m really sad that the dream act didn’t pass but i hope it passes next time. Thanks again
Sincerely,
Maria Marquez from Los Angeles CA

Wow Angy!!!! GOD bless you. I want to thank you for everything! I have a lot of great things to tell you that would fill this whole page. Thanks again for the super, super job you are doing! I love you!
Thank you, let me know how i can help!!!!! I also need the ,,,Dream Act..
I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO GET IT…AMEN.
Anonymous

Hi Angy, this is Antonio Medina, I am very angry and sad that the Dream Act didn’t pass and I want to give myself to whatever needs to be done next. When are you guys meeting next? What are your plans? I have some ideas that i like to share, but i would prefer to share them with just one or two people and not with a whole group to start. We have to keep the hope and work up and going. I will definitely try to go to the events that you guys have scheduled.
Take care,
Antonio M.

Maria:
I’m truly glad your spirits have been lifted through these posts. That is the mission of this, to inspire youth and everyone alike; to show others how being undocumented affects us, not just politically but emotionally as well. In order for the Dream Act to pass we can’t sit around and wait for justice to happen. I hope you’re active in what’s going on in California with the dream act version. Don’t let one loss keep you from trying again.
Anonymous:
Your email is very sweet it made me smile! There is no need to thank me. It’s something we all have to do to keep ourselves sane. We need to start taking care of each other because we are the only ones who understand each other. As undocumented students we can relate to the struggle easier no matter what state we live in. It’s everyone’s job to step up and fight for what’s right. How can equal access to education be wrong? I love you and all the undocumented students out there who struggle everyday to make a better life for themselves. You all are strong and amazing people. Don’t ever feel alone, because you’re not.
Antonio:
We were all very sad and frustrated when the Dream Act didn’t pass. It was something very difficult for us to realize and it took some time adjusting to it. It was very difficult coming to terms with the fact that undocumented youth had walked to DC, starved for their dreams, did acts of civil disobedience, and much more, to only be ignored once again. These efforts weren’t in vain because without 2010, this wouldn’t be the new civil rights movement.
Dear Anonymous, Maria and Antonio,
Thank you all three for taking time out to email me with your comments or questions.
All three of you expressed your concern about the Dream Act and asked what can be done next. We hope to get bills like the Dream Act passed in each state. All these Anti-Immigrant bills that are being introduced need to combated with Pro-Immigrant bills. Instead of protesting we need to start setting our own standards. I invite you all to get involved and plug yourselves into the movement.

Anonymous, Maria, Antonio and all the other readers I invite you all to participate in this year’s coming out week by sending us your undocumented story. Share how you’ve overcome struggles and what your life is like as an undocumented student. Share how you don’t plan on giving up and how disappointed you are at the lack of action from our government.
Antonio, you expressed interest in attending some of our events so I’m guessing you’re in New York. Check out the NYSYLC page for any updates on events, general meetings and who to contact for more info. Also, email me your story (if you feel comfortable you can attach a picture of yourself) and also read some of our stories from last year for inspiration!

I urge you to email me with any questions, concerns, comments or just your own story. This is a space to vent out any feelings you have bottled up inside. Whatever you write is up to you and you will not be judged. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too! Don’t be afraid to speak out!

If you are a fan of the Ask Angy posts..

The views expressed by the author on this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC).

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A LIFE WITHOUT DIGITS

Living in the United States as an immigrant has been my biggest challenge. On a hot summer night, along with my mother I crossed the border pursuing a dream. After a long journey, I arrived to New York on September 7, 2005. Back then I thought that the obstacles for me had ended but I didn’t realize that it was just the beginning of a journey where I would encounter many obstacles. Those obstacles have helped me grow up as an individual and they also have taught me that life is not easy.

If I compare the friends of mine who were born in this country to the ones who immigrated to the United States I always see that there is a big difference in lifestyles. The first ones don’t really care a lot about their performance in school because they know that everything will come easily to them, they live legally in this country and have never faced the obstacles that we face. They don’t know how it feels going to a Financial Aid office and being told: “You are wasting your time coming in here, if you don’t have a Social Security number you can’t get any help”. They don’t know how it is like to cross the border in a dark and cold night. But we, the “aliens” have experienced these kind of problems many times, therefore we always work double.

I am currently a senior at an International High School. There I have heard many stories about young immigrants like me. They all have many dreams, just like I do. A lot of them want to succeed; they always tell me that they want to be doctors, lawyers, etc. But it is very sad when they put their heads down and say: “But I am undocumented.” I would like to cheer them up by telling them that everything will be fine but the truth is that, I don’t know what will happen to our future… I don’t know if everything will be fine. The only hope that I have is the Dream Act, this bill that if passed would be the only thing that would help make our dreams and goals come true.

Since I am a senior, this year I started my College application process, and it was very frustrating that I could not apply for the colleges that I wanted to go just because I don’t have citizenship or residency in the United States. I was hoping that by attending a CUNY College I could get some kind of help but unfortunately, a few days ago when I went to Lehman College’s financial aid office I realized that there is no way for me to get financial help. The financial aid officer told me that if I didn’t have a social security number I could not get any help from them. I felt very sad and upset when I heard what she said. Nevertheless it gave me the strength to keep on fighting for my dreams.

Without the nine digits I can only qualify for a very few scholarships, without the nine digits I cannot get a job. I acknowledge that it will be very difficult for my mother and I to afford my college tuition, but I really want to be the first member of my family to go to college. A lot of people might think that the best thing I could do is to go back to “my country” but I would like them to know that the United States is my country now. Therefore I want to get educated in this country, work in this country and live in this country. I want to stay at my new and only home.

I always wonder if all the sacrifices that my mother has made in order to give me a better life would be worth someday. I recognize that my mother is not the only parent working really hard to save money for her child’s college tuition. Like her there are many parents who would do anything to see their children succeed in this country. I wonder if all the nights with no sleep and the tears we all have cried will be worth it someday.

My mother blames herself for what I am experiencing right now but the truth is that it is not her fault. I know that what she was looking for when she decided to come to this country was to create a great future for me, the great future that she could never have because of the lack of economic resources that she suffered back in Mexico. I want my mother to be proud of me because she deserves it.

It is unbelievable how anti-immigrants say that undocumented people are criminals when the First Article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…” However, in this country not all human beings have equal rights. They should know that no human being is illegal. If God gave us the opportunity to live then, why does the absence of a simple paper forbid us from having the opportunity to have the rights that everyone else has?

I don’t know what will happen after I graduate from high school, my dream is to go to college and become a professional but without a legal status in the United States it will be a big challenge for me. However, I will not give up and I have faith that the Dream Act will be passed. This bill is the only hope that I have; having a legal status is the only way I can make my dream come true. My name is Monica and I am Undocumented…an Undocumented immigrant who doesn’t know what will happen to her future, an undocumented who is not afraid anymore. A young immigrant, who is always trying to stand out in her society because she wants to make a difference. A young woman who has knowledge, values, energy and hunger to succeed but I cannot do this entirely if I can’t continue with my education.