I was brought to this country by my parents along with my other 2 younger brothers.

I know the reason why they brought us here and it was for our own good at that age (14) BUT I wasn’t aware of how out of place I really was until I turned 15.

I started having lesbian tendencies and that year I came out of the closet. Now, not only I was an undocumented immigrant but I was a lesbian.

I did well in school and joined the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) and from then on I knew what I wanted to do with my life once high school was over. I wanted to join the US Army but it was then that I realized that my dreams would be deferred.

I am told by many people that I don’t belong here and yet I want nothing more than to serve — I am willing to serve and risk my own life for the United States of America.

The DREAM Act would give me a chance to pursue this wish by giving me a pathway to citizenship.

Email: karla@dreamactivist.org