Jose Luis was born in a small town in the city of Puebla Mexico in the 80’s and was brought to the U.S at the age of 11 where he entered the 6th grade in New York. When he started high school he did not know of the barriers coming ahead, due to the lack of immigration status in the country, He realized that he would have to strive even harder to achieve his academic goals. It wasn’t easy for him when it came to applying to college, being the first person in his family to enroll in college and not having the right mentor to guide him. Despite of all the barriers he confronted, he still plans to attend LaGuardia Community College and one day obtain a bachelors degree and hopefully a masters in Mental Heath. He hopes to become a counselor at a junior high or high school where he can help young people that face similar struggles like him. He is now a role model for his siblings who he always talks to about the importance of an education and going to college, but also the importance of being active in their community and helping other’s achieve their goals.

As a young person Jose Luis always wanted to help other’s specially those in his situation and at the age of 24 along with friends who, he met along his struggle founded The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) where he ran numerous workshops about access to higher education and the Dream act. Currently Jose Luis volunteers part of his time in the financial side and leadership development of the NYSYL. He also teaches ESL classes at The New Immigrant Community Empowerment, and he’s always in the look out for helping his community and protecting the rights of young people and workers as well.

“I am walking to DC to demand the passage of the Dream act! As a responsible individual I believe that no more undocumented students should go through the barriers and difficulties I have faced. I will not give up till this legislation is passed, I will not let one more generation put their dreams on hold just because of a broken immigration system that does not address immigrant youth status. ”

Marisol Ramos was born and raised in the South Bronx to undocumented Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up she became aware of the inequities undocumented immigrants faced through her own families experience of exploitation and fear of deportation. Her commitment to fighting for social justice has translated throughout her work as an immigrant rights organizer.

Marisol is a co-founder of the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) and founding board member of the national United We Dream Network. During the day, Marisol works as a Program Associate at the New World Foundation. Marisol obtained a B.A from Hunter College-CUNY double majoring in English Literature and Criticism and Women Studies with honors.

Marisol is walking with the Trail of Dreams NY in honor of her family and friends who are affected by a broken immigration system.

Gabriel Martinez:
I was born on January 10, 1983 in a nation-state located in the Americas and arrived to New York City at the age of eleven. I completed elementary school, junior high school, high school, an Associate’s in Applied Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technology from New York College of Technology and Bachelor of Arts in International Criminal Justice (ICJ) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

When my mother brought me to the United States without inspection, her dream was to work hard build a decent house, save money to install a business in Molcaxac, a small town which in 1994 my mother, sister and I called home. This dream in not any different from any of the 15 millions of people seeking opportunities and better standards of living in the United States. As time passed my mother’s dream were replaced by my dreams. My dream back in 2001, was to create something that would benefit society, when I was to studying engineering

My dream to do research and contribute to society was killed. When I realized that I was one of the thousands or maybe a few millions of youth, young adults and adults who in their last year of high school learned that not all men and women are created equal. Even though, The Declaration of Independence states that “… We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I learned about The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, best known as DREAM Act in 2001, this bill was like walking in to a garden in spring or an oasis in the middle of the desert. This bill since then has been my liberation and pursuit of happiness.

I am walking to Washington D.C on the Trail of Dreams because through time I have understood the true meaning of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. These documents tell to people to fight for what is right. The documents that hold this nation-state together was engineered to provide opportunities and changes over time as long as people are willing to fight for it. Walking to Washington D.C means winning one more battle to convert the Dream Act bill into law.”

Martin Lopez was born in Southern California to Mexican undocumented immigrant parents. He moved to New York City in 2005 to attend college. His first experience organizing around immigrant rights issues was when the Sensenbrenner Bill (HR. 4437), which sought to criminalize undocumented immigrants and their families, came up in Congress. He helped found Lucha, a student group at Columbia University which deals with issues that affect working class people – lack of access to education, health care reform, wage disparity, exploitation and sexual harassment in the work place. He is currently the Youth Organizer for the New York State Youth Leadership Council.

Daniela Hidalgo came to the United States when she was 14 years old. She completed her high school education when she was 16 years old, yet as many dreamers, she faced difficulties to attend college. Thanks to her parents’ financial support and small scholarships provided by private organizations, she was able to make her way through college. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baruch College/CUNY in 2007. However, after graduation, her options continue to be limited. Unable to pursue her dream job, travel around, visit her family back in her native country, Ecuador, she is stuck in the limbo along with thousands of other DREAMers. In 2007, Daniela joined the NYS Youth Leadership Council, where she found a haven from the frustration and disappointment that our lack of legal status creates. Her commitment to the organization and the DREAM movement has been increasing since then. Daniela walks because she believes in the talents, strength and willpower of DREAM youth.