D.

Cornell University
New Jersey

I was brought to this country on the 4th of July in 1997 at 6 years of age. I remember the alien feeling of living in this otherworldly place, and at first it was hard to make sense of it. I attended first grade, and learned the pledge of allegiance, reciting it every morning without understanding its meaning, but soon enough my elastic mind, that of a child, adapted to the new language, and I slowly began to understand this new place. A few grades later, I did not distinguish myself from it. In school, I learned of the ideals, politics and culture of this place, and I adopted them. I was American and I knew it; there was no question for me.

Since then I have graduated from high school, and attended Cornell University for two years, trying to double major in Fine Arts and Mechanical Engineering, and yet, this dark cloud still looms over my head, darkening my future to the unknown. I cannot apply for federal aid, I cannot apply for most private scholarships that require residency, I cannot visit my family in Mexico, I cannot obtain a driver’s license, and I cannot work a real job. Attempting to pay for my education, as a college student, is particularly hard, especially since my mother is my only support and she also has a mortgage to pay on a teacher’s salary. I have worked as hard as I can since I got to school, to educate myself and to try to contribute to this great nation I now call my own, but my efforts can only go so far when the entire legal system cripples me so.

These laws that are broken are breaking our lives and the longer it takes to fix them, the more irreparable damage is done to this generation of vibrant, intelligent youths that only want to contribute to America. I urge that the Dream Act be passed immediately. Our lives are in your hands.