Daniela, 23

Daniela Hidalgo came to the United States when she was 14 years old.. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baruch College/CUNY in 2007. However, after graduation, her options continue to be limited. Unable to pursue her dream job, travel around, visit her family back in her native country, Ecuador, she is stuck in the limbo along with thousands of other DREAMers. In 2007, Daniela joined the NYS Youth Leadership Council, where she found a haven from the frustration and disappointment that our lack of legal status creates. Her commitment to the organization and the DREAM movement has been increasing since then. Daniela walks because she believes in the talents, strength and willpower of DREAM youth.

Jose Luis, 29

Jose Luis Zacatelco was born in a small town in the city of Puebla Mexico in the 1980’s and was brought to the U.S at the age of 11 where he entered the 6^th grade in New York. When he started high school he did not know of the barriers coming ahead, due to the lack of immigration status in the country, He realized that he would have to strive even harder to achieve his academic goals. Despite of all the barriers he confronted, he plans to enroll in LaGuardia Community College and one day obtain a bachelors degree and hopefully a masters in Mental Health. At the age of 24 he co-founded The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) where he ran numerous workshops about access to higher education and the Dream act. Currently Jose Luis volunteers part of his time in the financial side and leadership development of the NYSYLC. He also teaches ESL classes at The New Immigrant Community Empowerment, and he’s always in the look out for helping his community and protecting the rights of young people and workers as well.

Gabriel, 27
Gabriel Martinez was born on in Molcaxac, Puebla, Mexico and immigrated to New York City at the age of eleven and has lived without immigration status ever since. He completed an associate’s in Applied Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technology from New York College of Technology and Bachelor of Arts in International Criminal Justice (ICJ) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Nevertheless, that has not stopped Gabe from organizing other immigrant youth around the Dream Act since 2004 or fighting for social justice.

Martin, 22

Martin Lopez was born in Southern California to Mexican undocumented immigrant parents. He moved to New York City in 2005 to attend college. His first experience organizing around immigrant rights issues was when the Sensenbrenner Bill (HR. 4437), which sought to criminalize undocumented immigrants and their families, came up in Congress. He helped found Lucha,  a student group at Columbia University which deals with issues that affect working class people – lack of access to education, health care reform, wage disparity, exploitation and sexual harassment in the work place. He is currently the Youth Organizer for the New York State Youth Leadership Council.

Marisol, 25

Marisol Ramos was born and raised in the South Bronx to undocumented Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up she became aware of the inequities undocumented immigrants faced through her own families experience of exploitation and fear of deportation. Her commitment to fighting for social justice has translated throughout her work as an immigrant rights organizer.

Marisol is a co-founder of the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) and founding board member of the national United We Dream Network. During the day, Marisol works as a Program Associate at the New World Foundation. Marisol obtained a B.A from Hunter College-CUNY double majoring in English Literature and Criticism and Women Studies with honors.  Marisol is walking with the Trail of Dreams NY in honor of her family and friends who are affected by a broken immigration system.