My name is Andrea Rosales. I am
Undocumented. I am Unafraid.
For the longest time, we were told to wait. Wait for
politicians to act. Wait until after elections, so they can secure a few
votes. Wait for the right time to introduce a bill. Wait to try to pass a comprehensive
reform bill based on enforcement, and to put our DREAMs on the backburner. Wait
for our voices in the immigrant community, and the voices of undocumented
youth, to be heard.
Just wait… so we did. But not without lobbying,
filing petitions, fighting the deportation of our peers case by case, and
speaking out.
Back in October 2007, when 44 Senators killed DREAM,
I was waiting. Then, a freshman in college, with a pair of private scholarships
securing my first two semesters, I was hopeful. I was hopeful in returning the
next year to school, so I treaded forth. Every single year, I waited for
recognition and validation in my education and my future in the country I was
raised in.
My parents brought me to this country at the age of
five, so my first experience with the education system in the U.S. was in
kindergarten. Navigating through grade school and high school proved to be
easier, at least compared to the present.
I am currently 22 years old, a senior in college and
with more years in the U.S. education system than my parents in their
respective countries of origin. I realize that I have been one of the lucky
ones who have been able to attend college and pay in-state tuition, whereas my
peers have had to drop out or were discouraged to even apply because they could
not afford it. On the other hand, I dread to think about what my future will
bring. My mom has been working countless back-breaking jobs to support us, and
what will I have to offer her once I graduate? She too was expecting for my
education to pay off.
This May, I will be receiving my Bachelor’s in
Sociology and Latino/a Studies with a minor in Asian American Studies at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. And although I applied to thirteen
schools in hopes of pursuing a PhD in Ethnic Studies, I realize that the
chances of me once again declining any acceptance or possible fellowship are
far greater. Still, no matter what happens, I no doubt find strength in knowing
that we, as undocumented youth, are growing into adults with much power, who
refuse to fail fighting.
I am tired of waiting. I know what side I am on,
which side will you be on? - Andrea Rosales
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