Keep your head high and join the fight

It is not a secret to anyone that in the United States there are about 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants. A very large part of this figure is made up of young people, and perhaps, even yourself, reading this right now, are one of those many affected by this issue.
One of the truths about this reality is that undocumented youth usually have no role in the decision to come to the United States. They have been brought here by their parents or relatives and a many of them have spent most of their life in this country. Growing up undocumented may not seem like a big challenge, but what happens when it is time to go to college or to start a career?

In our last blog we wrote about Immigrant Youth and Education and discussed some of the challenges that cause our youth to drop out of the schools perpetrating a very difficult reality in our Hispanic community. Many undocumented students are honor students, achieving athletes, leaders and aspiring professionals that have a wealth of talents to offer to this country. But due to their immigration status, they are unable to access higher education, and even if they do, they are unable to attain employment after graduation.

So how does being undocumented impact your life? Or how is this harsh reality impacting your friends and those you love? Feel free to share your personal stories and those of your friends. Do you think there is any hope for change and what are you personally doing to face this challenge?
One of the initiatives that you may be familiar with is the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act. It is proposed to address youth who were brought to the United States without legal documentation but that have grown up here, stayed in school, and developed a good moral character.

The DREAM Act continues to be one of the more promising immigration initiatives, but has not been approved yet. It has gathered bipartisan support in the last few years, but there is a lot of work to be done, and undocumented youth are at the forefront of the movement to move the DREAM Act to become law. If you are not yet involved and would like to learn about how you can contribute, contact your community organizations and ask about the DREAM Act.

But until a Comprehensive Immigration Reform is enacted, our families and youth will be facing the same struggles. It is extremely sad to see such great talent go to waste due to the lack of opportunities, and it takes a civic commitment from each one of us to create change. If we don’t do it for ourselves, let’s do it for each one of these students and their families.

So if you are undocumented, or know someone who is undocumented and struggling with this reality, keep your head high and join the fight. There are many things that you can do, from joining youth committees in your area to participating in community projects like creating awareness and registering people to vote, or orienting undocumented students as to where to find help and support.

There is hope in the future but the greatest hope lies within us and in our strength to fight for what is right and fair for our families and our communities. So, what do you think, is this issue worth fighting for? I certainly believe so!