My name is Betsy and I’m a senior at UCLA studying Political Science. I came to this country from Mexico when I was three years old. As a child I never knew what being undocumented was until I started my senior year in High School. While everyone was applying to college and financial aid, I was told that I couldn’t attend college because of my status. As the daughter of college educated parents, I was however encouraged by my parents and peers to attend college through the AB-540 Bill. This bill has given be the ability to attend community college and now UCLA.

Currently I’m a full-time student, a community organizer, and a student activist. At UCLA, I’m a part of IDEAS, a student organization that advocates for immigrant students in their path for higher education. Through IDEAS we advocate for legislation like the DREAM Act in order for students to fulfill their college degrees. In the near future I hope to become a labor lawyer, advocate for low-wage workers and the immigrant community. In order for me to achieve this, I need the DREAM Act.