It Gets Better…
But does it?
Does it really get better for undocumented immigrant?
See, here’s the thing. When someone struggles in some area of life, very often we can say to them, you are not alone, there are others who are where you are
now, and there are so many who are passed this. There is hope. Look at those who overcame.
Who can the undocumented Americans look at? Who is our hope in this case?
Sure, we are definitely not alone, but is there a future?
Take Jose Antonio Vargas of Define American. He came out to the world that he is an undocumented American. You say so what? It is a big deal. You see, Jose, is a journalist who went on winning a Pulitzer Prize, who met President Obama in the White House and I believe and built so much guilt within him that he decided he must do something.( My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant, Vargas, NY Times)
He could have stayed hidden. And probably not got caught. But he opened up about the topic and it is why so many of us are having this conversation.
So some say he is an example of hope.
But sadly, he is not. He is just like us. Only difference is he was able to make it big with fake papers. Not sure if he is still using it or not, but now he goes around informing people of this topic. Of why it is so important to give us a chance. Who knows how many of us could become Pulitzer Prize winners.
I remember it clearly. When I was offered to get fake i.d.s so that I could drive like my friends, enter places without having to carry a passport, or just feel normal for the most part. Get a bank account. Social. The whole deal (minus global travels).
I said no. Some called me a fool. An idiot. But at that age of 17 I wanted to abide to the law. I said I will get papers the legit way. I wanted to be a true American. So yes, I now have massive limitations, some fear of deportation but I am not standing idle.
I am going to be honest. There were so many times I just wanted to end it. That the hassle wasn’t worth it. That I will never be legal. And perhaps, I wasn’t worthy to live. I felt trapped and often feel alone still today.
Yes, there are so many of me out there but there’s no one to look at. No one to say to us “there is hope”.
I felt in a funk the past few weeks. I have been writing much on this topic. Talking to many lawyers. Writing to politician (if they only really read what we write). Calling their offices. Letters to the White House.
And yet, nothing. I am still undocumented. It eats me up, it gets me down and I had allowed it to take me away from other projects feeling sad.
But here I am, as lonely as I feel, and as lonely many of you feel, there is indeed hope. There is a smile awaiting. “A future.”
Just go to YouTube and type in The Dream Act. Watch how some Senators take our stories to heart. Watch how united so many of us are in this issue. How we believe we can do so much for this country.
Yes, we have no one to look toward to for hope but I say screw that. Look at us. How many of us are volunteering HOURS for non profits. How many of us are leaders in our own way. It funny when you hear the President of the student body is often undocumented. I was and many I know were. It’s funny when they are the one leading departments in their schools or volunteer services in their community.
There is hope.
Yes, look at Jose. Look at how he decided to step up and say, “let’s define american“.
Look at me. I am no one special and yet I am here with you. I volunteer hours at non profits. I help small businesses become more profitable. I use my mind. I know you do to.
I create hope. Jose is creating hope. We are in this together creating hope.
I don’t know when this Dream Act will pass or if ever. But I do know as lonely as it will get out there, it will get better.
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I think things are going to get better at some point, and they’ll get better because of people like you. People who dedicate their time and energy into educating those around them and making the world a better place.
The work ethic, compassion, selflessness and drive that so many immigrants possess never ceases to amaze me. As those traits continue to be displayed, it will eventually become too much to ignore anymore.
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Nathan,
I sure hope it gets better.
I truly believe there’s so much misconception on the issue of immigration. When you truly sit down with someone and have a real conversation with them on the issue, many turn around and become supporters.
I think the time is now more than ever to go from the faceless issue to the people with stories to tell.
Thank you for the kind words.
How can you not support such a cause where it doesn’t make sense to have so many people undocumented. We live in an advanced society where every item in a grocery store is documented! Imagine the wealth society loses by not giving the right and the opportunities to you and all these people to be the best they can be… And yet you strive to move forward! Continue Roy. The path is all yours and you will achieve your goal with great support.
Carmen,
Thank you so much for reading this post. You know how much I value of friendship.
I agree with you, as there are many opponents to this bill, I believe they often lack the information that is needed to turn them into believers.
And yes, I surely agree that this country is missing out by not allowing us to step up and show what we can contribute to this great country of ours.
We will win this battle. Be united never quit, never give up. We are in the right side and history will talk about us.
Hey Juan.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
We will get this bill pass somehow. Don’t know when or how. Perhaps we need our own Rosa Park and Martin Luther King.
If each one of us start coming out, and go from the faceless group to people with lives, more and more will understand and then it will pass.
I’m impressed by your intelligence, articulateness and honesty. I truly hope the political climate changes, that people fully understand the contribution that immigrants make to our country and the political tides change. I can’t say it will happen soon but the history of immigration in this country has shown waves of anti-immigrant feeling (going back two centuries) and then changes in legislation. I hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Hey Liz.
Thank you for the kind words. It means much to me.
It is kind of funny when you think that our founders were children of immigrants or immigrants themselves.
It is funny when they fought a war for freedom, to allow us to run ourselves…
And yet here we are, instead of solving the problem, they demean the issue. And my hope is that it will be pass sooner than later.
And to do so, I think more and more of us have to be willing to step out from the dark and show that we are real human beings, with lives.
ohhh i feel your pain and hope…
Thanks Ang.
It is a hurt but hopefully good shall come out of this.