DREAMer from Indiana shared his story with the Mayor, who then proceeded to express his support for the DREAM Act in a meeting with the city council.

“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.”

These words have marked this nation as a land of opportunity and a land of hope. There are a tremendous amount of students in our nation who are in great desire to pursue the dream of higher education which would bring them happiness. Countless students greatly wish for a simple identification card that would give them a life and an identity among our society. Many desire a legal status in this country to finally achieve the liberty to study, work, and contribute to this great nation. With all the things mentioned, they would have finally achieved the pursuit of happiness.

I was brought into this country at age 8. I quickly had to learn the language, accustom myself with a new culture and learn to live as an “illegal.” Struggling with my status has been a real tough challenge. When someone sees me, they think I was born here just for the simple fact that I “speak English well.” No one stops to think about my status, but inside I’m screaming out for help! Why can’t I be like my other friends who, at the age of 15, they’re excited about finally going to drivers ed and getting their driving permit; at 16, getting their own car and driving around. Everyone around me was getting jobs, but not me, not because I didn’t want to, but because I lacked a nine digit number.

I have participated in sports since elementary school, been involved in clubs, and also volunteered for my community. Why can’t I be recognized as a regular teen? Why do I have to be in the statistics for a possible drop out? Just because, according to statistics Hispanics have the highest drop out rates. Maybe we haven’t stopped to think that many of these students have lost their hope to graduate just because they don’t have an opportunity to receive any financial aid for college or can’t even go into the workforce. A nine digit number keeps you from driving, working, and even applying for something as essential as scholarships.

I recently played my senior year of soccer at my high school. At the end of the season, I realized that all my hard work finally paid off when I received numerous letters from colleges interested in having me play for their school. I was in negotiation with colleges when I soon realized that I wasn’t going to receive a full scholarship… meaning it would be impossible to receive any other financial aid. Without being able to apply for the FAFSA, I was very limited to the things I could do. Why do we kids have to pay the price of our parents bringing us into this country just because they want us to have a future? What is wrong with pursuing a better life and a higher education? It hurts me so much that I can’t pursue my dream right now, but there’s still hope. Pass the DREAM Act.

My life at home has been good yet I’ve had to learn how to be independent since I was a little kid, I really didn’t have a childhood. While I was in fifth grade, I came home one day to the news that my dad had gotten deported. What kind of kid has to go through that and still has to go back to school acting like nothing has happened? This is a great obstacle that distracts you from your studies, but if you manage to pass these high roadblocks and graduate, what’s to come next? Where do you go from here? What can you do?

I am begging this government to please pass the DREAM Act so that the 65,000 undocumented students that graduate each year can have something to look forward to after high school like college or serve our nation in the armed forces. I hope to one day be able to stop being a shadow and a statistic figure. I hope one day I can show you my face and become accepted as a citizen in this great nation. PLEASE PASS THE DREAM ACT!!