Feelings of depression and worthlessness clouded up Joaquin Luna’s mind, an undocumented youth from Texas who committed suicide last year. In a country where undocumented youth are treated like less than equals but still strive to prove their self-worth everyday, many of them fall prey to depression and suicidal thoughts after feeling trapped and alone. One of these youth is Yanelli Hernandez Serrano.

Yanelli came to the United States at the age of 13. At the age of 13 I had to worry about finishing my homework and the cute boy in my class; however, these were not Yanelli’s worries. She made the journey to the U.S. alone and without family. She became independent at a young age and worked hard to provide a life for herself, doing whatever she had to do to survive. Imagine having to fend for yourself at the tneder age of 13 years old. Imagine working in a factory for over 7 years while your dreams of continuing your education continue to elude you. Imagine carrying such a heavy weight of responsibility on your shoulders. While most of us can only imagine, these are the facts of Yanelli’s life.

As time went by the same dark feelings of despair began to present themselves in Yanelli’s life and she started walking on the tightrope Joaquin was once on. Alone and searching for an escape from her undocumented reality, Yanelli found solace in alcohol and self-harm, leading to her first suicide attempt and subsequent hospitalization.

[UPDATE]

Facing a bogus forgery charge, sitting in detention has had an even bigger emotional toll on Yanelli. When she was pulled over by police last year, she was asked to present identification and gave the police officer her consular ID, the only one she had. Fueled by hate, racism, or just pure laziness, the police officer accused her of using false ID, though her consular ID was her only valid form of identification. Furthermore, she never tried to pass her consular ID as a driver’s license, as any casual observer can tell that the two are very different, yet Yanelli became the next victim of this administration’s quota-driven deportation system. Feeling helpless and alone, she attempted to take her life away a second and third time while in detention. She is now on anti-depressants, but her path to recovery cannot begin from inside of a jail cell. This is a cry for immediate help, the help we could not extend to Joaquin fast enough.

As if the injustice Yanelli has faced at the hands of those who claim to uphold the law, to protect and serve was not enough, she was also blatantly lied to and effectively trapped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Though the detention center Yanelli is being held in does not receive direct mail, ICE agreed to pass on a legal packet prepared for Yanelli that included letters of support, medical history and crucial evidence for her to use in court, as she would be defending herself. Though ICE explicitly told Yanell’s legal aid that they had passed on the information, they instead purposefully withheld it and Yanelli went to court with absolutely no preparation or guidance yesterday. Feeling alone, frustrated and depressed, with a very shaky mental health foundation, Yanelli was forced to give into pressure and received a final order of removal. All she wants is to be released from detention so that she can receive the medical help she so desperately needs.

In case that was not clear, ICE deliberately withheld Yanelli’s documents and evidence for her legal defense from her the day she was to appear in front of a judge. Yanelli is under attack; what will you choose to do about it?

Despite so many obstacles in her 22 years, Yanelli aspires to become a veterinarian and care for wounded pets or work with children in a social work setting. Her humanity and desire to obtain her dreams are limited as she still sits in detention and needs our immediate action.

“The worst thing you could probably do to someone who is suicidal is to leave them alone in their moment(s) of crisis. Deporting someone where they have no support system is doing just that, which will most likely increase their risk of suicide.  If someone is deported to a country where they haven’t been to since birth, their community ties and support are non-existent.  Regardless of whether they have family there, this person can not assume a trusting, nurturing, and loving environment. It takes time to build a support system, none the less one that can support you through suicide attempts.  Someone who has attempted to harm themselves, in this way, need individual support, family, and friends near them supporting their healing process. There are find mental health and community-based organizations that provide counseling services for people and families who have experienced this, help that she is less likely to find should she be deported.” -Chicago-based social worker Jacqueline Luna, MSW.

Please sign the petition, make a call and share this with your friends. We need YOUR help to get Yanelli out of detention and back to her waiting and loving community so that she can receive the medical treatment she so urgently needs. Joaquin’s plea for help was not answered soon enough; please don’t let the same be true for Yanelli.

PLEASE HELP YANELLI BE RELEASED FROM DETENTION TODAY!

If you had the chance to save a life in 5 minutes, would you do it?

Deporting undocumented youth who have escaped third-world violence and poverty to create a life for themselves that includes unified families, American-born siblings, and strong roots in this country is unacceptable.

If ever there was a time for a kind-hearted person that could and should benefit from President Obama’s newly revised removal guidelines and changes in deportation priorities it is Ivan Satizabal (A#098-98-9634). Growing up and trying to make a life is hard enough for any teenager. Ivan, like so many other Honduran youth, did not have much of a chance at an innocent childhood and suffered a traumatic adolescence before his arrival in the U.S.

He was targeted and highly recruited to join the ranks of the swelling Central American gang community. Ivan was fortunate to attain temporary protective status and come to the U.S. in 2005. Since then, his former country has gotten exponentially worse.

Stop Ivan’s deportation today!

Gangs depend on violence, intimidation and harassment, and a willingness to defend their homeboys to the death. This is what Ivan would encounter were he to be returned to Honduras.  The Mara Salvatrucha Trece, more commonly referred to as MS-13, is a quintessential example of fearful curiosity, capturing the attention of Central America and the United States in recent years.  MS-13’s territory has exploded far beyond its original territories in Los Angeles and its influence can be felt throughout El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico and most of the United States.  The antagonism between MS-13 and their main rival the Mara Dieciocho, or the 18^th Street gang, have sent bloody ripples from urban immigrant enclaves in California to shantytowns in Central America, claiming thousands of lives in between.

Alarmed governments, law enforcement agencies, military advisors, religious institutions and concerned citizens are all trying to get a grasp on the emergent narratives of the both of these gangs and their seemingly unstoppable and wide diffusion. It is this catch-22 that created the conditions for Ivan to leave Honduras in 2005 and why we cannot allow him to be deported back to one of the deadliest countries on earth in 2012.

Just one last example: on December 3^, 2011 while most American citizens were preparing for the holidays and most students were cramming for final exams at schools and universities throughout the country a female Peace Corps volunteer was on a bus in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Suddenly the bus was robbed and as a result the volunteer was shot in the leg during yet another armed robbery in the city.

Since the military coup in 2009, Honduras has increasingly become more violent and has experienced more crime and insecurity than any other nation on the planet whose murder rate went up 30 percent. The drug-money-fueled gang wars, targeted political assassinations, and bloody land conflicts have so destabilized the nation so much that many international organizations are pulling back their aid and personnel. The U.S. Peace Corp this month pulled more than 150 volunteers from Honduras, who it said was the most deadly country on the planet. According to a 2011 United Nations report, Honduras has the world’s highest homicide rate with 81.2 homicides for every 100,000 residents and had a whopping 86 murders per 100,000 inhabitants at the end of 2011 according to the UN-backed Violence Observatory in Tegucigalpa.

These factors are among many that feed the cycle of violence suffocating Honduras and bleeds into Central America and other regions of the globe.  Shreds of promise exist in an amazingly resilient Honduran populace, who despite their battered history, refuses to give up hope. Imagining and working towards a vision of a shared future, in which daily survival and sustenance are guaranteed for everyone and all U.S. citizens and Honduran refugees can enjoy freedom from violence may seem utopian.  Nevertheless this must become a sustaining vision.  Cynicism and intolerance displayed by deporting Ivan will only breed more violent death in Honduras.

Help us stop Ivan’s deportation!

“Angy, why do you even watch that show?”
“You’re killing your brain cells!”
“Did you know that every time you watch it… a book commits suicide?”

To be honest, I do not understand why I watch Jersey Shore; maybe it’s Snooki’s poof but I can’t seem to look away. The housemates are now on season 5 of this reality show. Season 4 was filmed in Italy. Their concerns during the time spent in Italy were:

- Not being able to make coffee fast enough because Italy has antique coffee makers

- Deena having a pregnancy scare and trying to find a pharmacy in Italy

- Mike hitting his head too hard into the wall and being injured because they’re too hard

- Snooki hitting a cop car because streets in Italy are so hard to drive in

- Italy not having a good enough club like New Jersey’s Karma

- Drama and distance causing relationship problems

- Not being able to tan because Italy doesn’t have a place to do so

- Being stuck under a couch

- Overall, having a really bad time in Italy that drinking at work and falling asleep during a tour of Italy is a must.

Last night I was catching up on the new season’s episodes and all I had on my mind was privilege. Here’s a group of individuals complaining throughout season 4 about Italy not meeting their expectations of drunken as well as sober fun. I’ve been wanting to go to Italy since I was in high school; this is the main reason why I took Italian as my foreign language class instead of any other. I told everyone around me that I wanted to visit Venice some day and eat authentic zeppoles. While that dream may be a little far from me right now, it’ll always be on my list of places-to-see some day.
This whole situation with the Jersey Shore cast annoys me and saddens me at the same time.

Many times I sit back and observe conversations with friends or interactions on facebook with a similar mentality. Now that it’s a new year you have folks complaining that the FAFSA forms are too long and a hassle to fill out. Some are on school breaks and of course there are pictures being uploaded at the beach in another country enjoying a drink or visiting family. You have folks complaining that the vacation is almost over and school will be starting soon. Complaining that they have to commute back to their dorm soon. Complaining that they have too many hours of work this week and can’t go out with friends enough. Complaining that they didn’t get what they wanted for Christmas. Complaining, complaining, complaining. I even make attempts to stay away from facebook more during school breaks because of all this. I want to slap some sense into all of them and check their privilege; however, if they don’t acknowledge it themselves there is no point in me trying to force it. Like my mother always says, “Dios le da pan al que no tiene dientes” which translated means, “God gives bread to those who don’t have teeth”.

It’s not that I am bothered by other’s good fortune. If you have the money to fly out to other countries..do it! I know I would!

It just bothers me when folks refuse to see struggle beyond their own because they think you can just pull yourself up by your bootstraps when people refuse to check their privilege and/or take full advantage of the opportunities they have when these same people refuse to donate at least $10 to a scholarship fund or help fund-raise for it when they provide us, undocumented youth, with reasons why they can’t be involved.

In Jersey Shore terms, Snooki worries about her poof not being big enough instead of worrying that her scholarship fund has too much money left over and not enough applicants (this is an example, she doesn’t have a scholarship fund, see what I mean?)

It’s a brand new year for the immigrant youth movement, and with it comes a lot more work that faces each and every one of us involved in it. If you have committed yourself to accomplishing anything this year make sure that coming out as undocumented is at the top of your list. Here at DreamActivist.org we encourage folks to come out to anybody with whom they feel comfortable, so please do not feel forced to do so if you are hesitant. Here are three creative and nontraditional ways to reveal your undocumented status to those close to you.

3. Memes

Lately, immigrant youth have taken to new social media platforms in order to expand their reach across the internet. This growth in reach gave birth to some of the most creative and hilarious ways in which undocumented youth are declaring that they are no longer afraid: memes. While most of these have been found across Tumblr, they seem to be propagating quite fast. The following memes depict scenarios which are very familiar to undocumented students, but it’s never too late to out yourself as undocumented in your own meme creation.

2. “I’m Undocumented” T-Shirts

Do you ever feel like you wear your undocumented status on your forehead? Well now you can wear it on your shirt!

These shirts have been a great hit since the moment we drew up the concept and as of today, they are worn by undocumented students and allies who dare to go out into the streets and raise eyebrows from those who read the words “I’m Undocumented”.

One of our readers sent us a story about their experience while wearing this shirt. In his short account he told the story of how he attended a Greek food festival that was being hosted in his hometown. While waiting in line for his food, an older woman approached him and told him that his shirt was very bold. Our reader responded “that’s because its true, I am undocumented” to which the woman responded “I am too.”

Be sure to pick one of these bad boys from our merch site if you want to declare your undocumented status, support immigrant youth, or spark some interesting conversations.

1. Launch Your Own Cause

Going public is not easy, and I’ll be the first to admit it. To this day I haven’t fully revealed my undocumented status to everyone I know based on fear that my Universtiy may find out and cancel some of my funding. This, however, has not stopped undocumented youth from fundraising money to cover their tuition.

?

Photo by the NY Daily News

Our very own Angy Rivera was recently featured on a NY Daily News Article, which explained the plight of some undocumented students who were fundraising money to pay for their respective college tuitions. A coupe of days later the NY Daily news ran a follow up story which related that Angy’s tuition had been FULLY covered by a stranger in NY who had read her story on the paper.

Let me say that again. HER TUITION WAS FULLY COVERED BY A STRANGER.

If that is not an incentive to come out, then I don’t know what is.

Hopefully some of these tips will help you overcome any fear or doubts you have about coming out. Should you have any questions be sure to leave us a comment.

-Juan

Coming out publicly about ones’ immigration status is an empowering step for many undocumented individuals.

Why?

Because the simple act of stating something that society instructs to be kept hidden is an act of revolution.
Because once something we all have in common is stated out loud we create unity among people sharing the same struggle.
Because finding this unity or support system is important to those who feel alone.
Connecting our struggles and identities is where a movement is born.

I’ve come out of the shadows undocumented and unafraid for over 2 years now. On tv, the radio, news papers, blog posts and t-shirts. Two of the biggest events in which I stated my status were organized for the National Coming Out Day in March. One sunny morning in 2010 I stood in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building right here in New York and stated that I am undocumented. In March 2011 I stood in the middle of a circle in Union Square and told all the onlookers. However, when writing and sharing my story of self I never told anyone that I was molested as a child by someone I know.

In high school we were asked to submit a personal statement along with our college applications…an essay about ourselves which described a struggle we faced that empowered us in a certain way. I didn’t embrace my undocumented identity as much back then so I decided to write about being molested and how it had changed me. This is something big and I cannot hide the fact that it happened; it has shaped who I am. I didn’t want to be secretive about it and I know that being quiet about something this huge doesn’t mean it makes it go away…so I wanted to embrace it. I wanted to share this huge fact about myself because I know I am not the only one. By writing my piece I had hoped to reach other girls who like me were once in the same situation. I wanted to get over this huge fear of intimacy. I had hoped that writing it out would mean I wouldn’t have nightmares anymore. However, one of my high school teachers told me to never tell anyone about what happened, “you should try to write about something that won’t be embarrassing to speak about when interviewed by college staff. This is not an appropriate topic” and just like that she convinced me to keep quiet about something that is intertwined with my sense of self.

Similarly, I read and hear about folks coming out as:
parent and undocumented
student and undocumented
working while undocumented
unemployed and undocumented
queer and undocumented

But I’ve never been able to say that I survived molestation and am also undocumented because I didn’t understand how both were connected. I didn’t understand how one issue balanced with the other. I didn’t understand that my inability to ask for help when the abuse was happening was intertwined with the threats I heard of having ICE called, of having my family separated. I didn’t understand that by sharing this story I could reach other individuals who may be living this every day and don’t ask for help because they think it isn’t there.

Why bring one topic as controversial as sexual molestation into the already controversial issue that is immigration?

I get it now.

Because one may not agree with my fight for immigrant rights, but by seeing a another side to my story they’ll understand that I’m just as much of a human as anyone else.

Because I’ve stated my immigration status and I seem brave and courageous, even though another aspect of me is still scared and embarrassed.

Because to fully promote empowerment we must practice it.

Because we are all survivors of something and there is nothing to be quiet about.

Coming out isn’t just one identity. It is about finding strength and courage within all of our struggles. Coming out about any obstacle we have faced, and embracing it, is where we empower ourselves and aren’t ashamed about it anymore. Sure, talking about my immigration status is controversial enough as it is but folks needs to understand that this isn’t the only problem I am facing.

Yes, I am undocumented but that isn’t the only aspect about me that matters. And so, one of my resolutions for 2012 was to embrace all of me equally. I am not a 2D person, but 3D even 4D with different facades to my identity, different struggles, different stories that go untold because many believe that this is only a one issue movement. When it’s not. By connecting all of our stories, struggles and realizing that there is unity in oppression we are able to really move forward. Our existence is combined with many other things.

Education is the top priority of 21 year-old Ruddy Mirabal. Born in the Dominican Republic, his family immigrated to the United States when Ruddy was 8 years old. His parents came in search of the now seemingly mythical, all too elusive American Dream, one in which the paths their children were to follow would hopefully be laced with more happiness and opportunity than their own.

Ruddy was enrolled in school and fell in love with New York city, exploring parks and playing in street games with the concurrent mission of learning English. Though boxing soon came a passion he possessed the talent for, Ruddy’s push for academics continued to drive him as he entered middle school. In his words, “My main goal was and still is to make my mother, Irma Calderon, very proud of me and at the same time bless her with a life she’s never had, full of joy, love, happiness and stress-free.” Ruddy’s family has struggled with poverty and homelessness since his early childhood, finding shelter on the couches and in the basements of numerous family members, sometimes having to miss a meal.

In the 7^th grade, Ruddy progressed to English-only classes, excelling in math. Through junior high, he received many academic awards, which he always gave to his mother. Looking forward to high school, Ruddy found a job to pay for his clothes and shoes. Though his budding boxing career posed a slight setback, Ruddy persevered in his goal of graduating from high school, passing the most of his Regents exams by the spring of 2010. With one exam and a few credits left, his mission for his mother was almost guaranteed success.

However in April, Ruddy was arrested in a complex case involving his older cousin, who was a known drug dealer. This left turn in Ruddy’s story takes on a plot we know all too well: a young male person of color, in this case with an immigrant with no prior criminal background, who comes from a childhood of poverty, instability, and poor educational access sees his future potential derailed and instead spends the end of that childhood in jail. We, as a society, are programmed to give up on these youth of color, to expect very little for them in terms of rehabilitation and potential, and instead continue to further criminalize and dehumanize them as ‘punishment.’

Ruddy refused to become another statistic. Working with social worker Iris Kupferstein and the Director of Education at Hudson County Correction Facility, where he was being held, Ruddy was allowed to craft the first-of-its-kind program that would allow him to complete his few remaining high school credits and graduate with an actual high school diploma, as was his goal. He refused to simply pursue his GED, previously the only correctional facility option, for he was wary of the stigma and potentially fewer opportunities it would afford him later in life. Ruddy became the first inmate ever to receive such a diploma in the Hudson County system, and there is now a permanent program in its place named after him for other inmates who refuse to give up on their education.

Ruddy’s one mistake has cost him dearly, and though he is on parole, he is awaiting deportation in a detention center due to his lack of immigration status. Though his entire family resides in the U.S., and he has a pending application for permanent residency, Ruddy’s charge puts him at risk of immediate deportation. Sending Ruddy back to the Dominican Republic, with no family, no money, and no prospects will certainly be punishing him for his lifetime, something he does not deserve. He has served his sentence time, during which he became an educational pioneer, assisting other inmates in the pursuits of their own educations. Armed with a high school degree and the promise he made to his mother, Ruddy was ready to integrate back into society and give back to his community using his skills and knowledge.

Ruddy is a perfect example of the importance of juvenile reform programs, especially when they are so successfully used in conjunction with a push for educational reform and access. These reforms are crucial for young youth of color, whose numbers far outweigh other youth in the correctional system. After taking on the prison industrial complex and winning his battle for educational access, Ruddy’s dreams are once again threatened, this time by the quota-driven detention and removal system of immigration.

As Ruddy says, “I am upgrading my mission in order for me to continue my studies and help others pick themselves up, even when they feel that it’s impossible.” He has defied the odds once, and he is determined to do so again.

Will you join us in stopping Ruddy’s deportation?

1. Sign the petition to keep Ruddy home in New York. Spread the word to at least 5 others.
2. Make a phone call to Janet Napolitano and John Morton to halt Ruddy’s deportation:Sample Script: “I am calling to ask that DREAM-Eligible student Ruddy Mirabal (A# 200-522-731) be allowed to stay in the U.S. Ruddy came to the U.S. when he was only 8 years old. Now 21, he has dreams of continuing his education so he can contribute to his community who supports him. Don’t deport Ruddy.”
3. Share on Twitter and Facebook: 21 year-old Ruddy Mirabal scheduled for immediate deportation. Don’t let Ruddy become another statistic. Help stop his deportation today! http://bit.ly/v0LdFb

This past year has been one of the most rewarding and special ones I have ever lived. I was able to meet so many youth both in person and through cyber space. I didn’t’ think this column would be where it is now. I never imagined people would read it or actually like it.

I want to thank all of you who have opened your heart to me and shown me a little piece of the issues you all face while dealing with our broken immigration system. Thank you for being brave enough to actually share your problems and letting a stranger know; for letting a stranger in.

Reading and answering all these emails has been an honor for me. Every time I saw an email labeled Ask Angy my heart skipped a little knowing someone out there was reading; someone out there cared enough to submit a worry or story.

These pieces have helped me too. Many times I’ve felt tired or overwhelmed but reading all these emails have provided me with strength to keep going. Many of these emails have helped me see that we are all connected through our struggles and stories. No matter how horrible or low we feel, someone out there shares our experiences. We are not alone and this column has made it visible.

This year is just the beginning of many more years to come. And I hope to be able to answer many more emails!

Thank you for giving me hope.

<3 Angy

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Email or fill out this form with any questions, concerns, comments or just your own story. This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Whatever you write is up to you and you will not be judged. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

If you are a fan of the Ask Angy posts like them on facebook

This is a list of the top things you are unable to do while you are undocumented, granted immigrant youth has found ways around these hurdles. In no way shape or form do I encourage anyone to break the law, nor do I expect anyone to be held back because of the lack of a piece of paper.

6. Drink

As an undocumented person you are unable to hold a drivers license or state ID (loopholes do apply however, I had a valid driver license once) which could be an issue when it comes down to buying your own booze for that BYOB party you are attending.

Some places (this one from experience) may have a rude waitress/er that expects your updated documents as you proceed to place your order.

Ways Around It:

• Do you have an international driver’s license, a valid passport, or even a matricula? A lot of places will just take a peek at your birth date and move along, others may just give your a hard time.
• Should your run into any issues may be make sure to tell your waitress the following “My license is expired? Oh, that fine. I didnt know my birthday expired!”
• Have someone else buy your booze (ONLY IF YOU’RE OF AGE) and have a raging party at your place.

5. Pay In-State Tuition

Face it, not every state is as progressive as Illinois or California (the former is battling SComm and recently passed the IL Dream Act) so you might just be stuck in an unfortunate state where immigrant youth has zero to now leeway when it comes paying for tuition.

Ways Around It:

• Live in Illinois, California (Coming Soon; hopefully), Maryland, Texas, Rhode Island or even Georgia if you want to get some discount on your education. **Read the requirement of each state before uprooting your life**
• Work the system in states that don’t offer in-state tuition.

4. Get a Driver’s License

Need to get around town but are unable to drive? Yeah, I know how you feel. Many states with the exception of Washington and New Mexico do not allow undocumented folk to get a shiny piece of plastic that allows you to drive legally. Now, this post is not encouraging to drive without a license, but when things get tight don’t be scared to give it a try.

Ways Around It:

• Unless you are Jose Antonio Vargas, or are planning to move to Washington or Utah for a while (or permanently) dont bother.
• Get working and organize your community to get the state legislature to do something about it.
• Ride your bike.
• Ride public transportation.

3. Travel

Want to go to Europe, Africa, or Japan? Yeah me too… unfortunately because of our lack of status we are unable to board airplanes with international destinations, well, unless you dont ever intend to return. Travelling internationally or nationally is out of the question without proper identification, then again you could always give TSA a headache.

Ways Around It:

• Use a valid passport to travel domestically. This is by no means a full-proof method, so be sure that you know that there are some risks involved in doing this.
• Explore your state. Even if you can’t travel to Hawaii or Fiji who says that there are no attractions or popular sites to visit around your state? Go out and explore!

2. Enlist in the Armed Forces

Now there are plenty of people who are wishy-washy to undocumented youth enlisting in the armed forces. Then again, there are also undocumented youth who are willing to enlist by their own means! There is no clear cut way to be able to get that job or go out on the field within the Armed Forces (although it is clearly possible), however, here are some cases of undocumented youth serving their country:

• Should undocumented students and soldiers dare to DREAM? Controversial act gets a vote in lame-duck Congress
• Row over war veterans facing deportation from the country they risked their lives to defend
• Manuel Guerra Casas and his dreams of joining the military

1. Get a Job

Let me not get in trouble for endorsing illegal activity (which I dont support to begin with). However, it must be noted that there are certain “degrees” of being undocumented that determine how undocumented you really are. Does that make sense? In any case if you want a job, take a look at this great piece written by our friends ar NCDREAMTEAM:

• Dropping the I-tin word…on your employer

**DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to promote any illegal activities**

My name is Sam and I am 28 years old. I am a college graduate and I am a DREAMer as everybody else in here. The recent failure to pass the federal Dream Act has made me realize that even though I love the U.S. Maybe I am not destined to be here.

I have tried everything I can to live a good life post college. However, it seems that every time I receive a good job offer my immigration status fails to impede my progress. I decided to switch careers to become an ESL teacher. I have been looking for jobs abroad and have been teaching ESL online. It’s not a glamorous job nor is it financially fulfilling.

I read about the New York Dream Act and I had some high hopes. I was just wondering if you have the time estimates on when the bill will likely pass or fail. I know it seems selfish to ask the government to rush it. However, I am not getting any younger and my dream to have an actual career post college and not a job should not be limited to just the U.S.

I know that it needs to assigned to a committee and then likely discussed in the assembly. I just want to know if Sen. Perkins discusses a timeline with your organization about the Act and what we should do in the meantime.

So what advice would you be able to give me? I am hoping that the New York Dream Act would be voted on this year since it’s more likely to pass rather than the Federal one. I have four younger brothers, me being the oldest, and I feel responsible for helping my parents take care of them. Does your group offer job placement assistance? I have an offer to teach in China but it’s for peanuts to be honest because of my nationality. But being jobless at 28 and a college graduate makes me feel inadequate.

Sam,
it’s nice to E-meet you and I’m hoping my response came just in time, sorry for the delay.

Regarding the New York Dream Act, the legislative session has come to an end which means the bill won’t be up for a vote this year and we suspect it will be placed for a vote some time in January. Again, this does not mean it will pass immediately or fail just because we live in New York. We also need to put up a fight and get support from our elected officials since the New York Dream Act can be a bit controversial. The New York Dream Act can also be used as a political game and not be brought up at all. It’s hard to predict exactly what is going to happen since most of the time they just use us and our energy but this doesn’t mean we will stop trying. That is why we are coordinating various legislative meetings with different politicians in the hopes that they will co-sponsor the New York Dream Act. We need to get their support before it even comes up for a vote.

We are working with professional lawyers to write a second draft of the bill since some politicians, who are undecided about their vote, are asking for another draft. We try to keep everyone updated on these things on our website and in our meetings so we hope you or your siblings can make it. Also, feel free to email tania@nysylc.org for more in depth conversation about this; she is our legislative coordinator.

Aside from politicians we also need to inform our community on the issues that affect undocumented youth, how the college application process is like, what the New York Dream Act is and how others can be involved in this campaign. One of the many ways we are doing this is by holding trainings, both inside and outside of our office, as well as our mentorship program which follows high school seniors through the various stages of their educational life until the completion of their first semester in college. Unofficially we have worked with them regarding work, held ITIN trainings in our meetings and if we hear about a job we’ll forward it but our work force program is still in the making.

We are also having Town Halls; our first one ever was in Staten Island and we will be having one in Brooklyn this Saturday. Another way in which we are spreading the word is by helping create Dream Teams on all New York campuses and communities. If you, or anyone you know, wants to get involved with Dream Teams please email us at organizing@nysylc.org

I like the fact that you are assertive when it comes to your career goals. Before the New York Dream ACt comes up for a vote we cannot sit around and wait for things to happen, which is exactly what you’re doing. I know changing what you wanted to do must have been very difficult and stressful. I hope all of us will be able to work in our careers of choice some day. If you do decide to work abroad remember there is a ban for leaving the United States. Speak to an immigration professional. I cannot tell you to leave or to stay, that is a conversation you must have with yourself and with your family. I support whichever one you make. Always weigh all your options before taking such a big step.

There are also some youth who have opened their own business depending on what their skills are; consider looking into that option and its requirements.

I’m sorry your siblings may, or already are, in this same situation. I too am an older sister and all we wish is for their success and safety. I suggest being there as guidance and support for them since you’ve been through this crazy labyrinth already, compared to us older siblings that were the trail and error guinea pigs. Yes it will be difficult watching them go through the same struggles you went through, but at least they won’t be alone trying to figure out their next steps and have you for a role model. You’ve accomplished great things and there is nothing to feel inadequate about. With or without papers you’re making a career path for yourself.

Something I’ve come to understand is that having papers isn’t going to fix our situation from one day to the next. Many citizens are in a worse situations than we are. We may still struggle even if we do get documentation and that is why I believe we shouldn’t put all of our hopes on the federal or state Dream Acts. If it passes yay and if it fails we cannot fall apart or feel like there is no road for us to follow.

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Email or fill out this form with any questions, concerns, comments or just your own story. This is a space to let it all out! You don’t have to bottle it up inside. Whatever you write is up to you and you will not be judged. Your stories and worries matter! You are not alone. Remember, the insecurities and fears you have, someone else is them having too. Don’t be afraid to speak out.

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The views expressed by the author on this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) or DreamActivist.org

STOP NADIA’S AND HER MOTHER’S DEPORTATION!

URGENT: Nadia and her mother are scheduled to be deported back to Bangladesh on September 29 at 11am. They were denied motion to reopen their case after a mistake of the immigration judge. Please take action immediately to stop their deportation!

Nadia was brought to the U.S. when she was only a one year old. She is now 19 and a junior at Stony Brook University in New York studying Psychology. Nazmin is married to a green card holder and has three younger children, all of whom are U.S. citizens and need her to stay in the country.

TAKE ACTION – MAKE A CALL:

1. Call DHS – Janet Napolitano (202-282-8495) and ICE – John Morton (202.732.3000)

Sample Script: “I am calling to ask that DREAM-Eligible student Nadia Habib (A# 073-588-622) and her mother Nazmin Habib (A#073-642-352) be allowed to stay in the U.S. Nadia came to the U.S. as a one year old and is studying Psychology. Nazmin is a contributing member of her community and provides for her three U.S. citizen children. Don’t deport Nadia Habib and her mother Nazmin Habib.”

2. SIGN THE PETITION:
Please sign the petition and ask all of your contacts to do the same. You can also share the petition and action alert with your friends on Facebook/Twitter

3. PLEASE FORWARD THIS PETITION AND ACTION ALERT TO AT LEAST 5 FRIENDS.