When I knew that I was gonna come to the United States for the very first time, I had a mishmash of emotions. Excitement was of course present, since I've fancied myself living the American dream. You know, the kind of life you see on TV. So, whenever I come back fresh from the States, wind blows like there's no tomorrow. All I say is how great life is in America.…
Growing up an undocumented child was an adversity which taught me to diligent, but also fearful. Living in the "land of opportunity", I felt as if I were in a junction between prosperity or deportation. It wasn't until DACA, an executive order issued by President Obama that changed the lives of thousands of young immigrants. As a result of DACA, a spark was lit; I now had a future worth fighting for. After high school, I began to work full-time at my parent's restaurant, however, I didn't see this as the best use of my time and decided it was best to pursue a higher education.…
Introduction The learners from families that do not have legal documents for residency in the United States of America are referred to as undocumented students (Perez P. 22). In other cases, they may be immigrants without parents who entered the United States illegally and have attained school-age. However, the undocumented students face several challenges due to financial, social and structural barriers in their pursuit of higher education (Kobach 478). In as much as there are huge barriers to accessing education for the undocumented students, they still make a significant contribution to the economy of the United States.…
What comes to mind when you hear the word “Immigrant”? Do you think of people who are living in the shadows? People who are working for less than minimum wage on the fields in scorching heat just to provide for their families? Maybe you think of people who are “stealing” jobs, who don’t belong in the United States. Whatever your opinion may be, one undeniable fact is that immigrants are here in the United States.…
There was a time where I was both courageous and cowardly. If I could go back in time, I would spit facts towards the teacher. But being seven or eight at the time, I rebelled the best way I could. Timidly, I grip the edges of my seat.…
“Welcome to America” the judge said. (1 Hour Earlier) In the heat of DC we all got inside of the car, I sat in the back with my brother. We then drove and arrived to park 10 before 12:00. I ran a head to the glass door and opened it and saw a white colored room where all of my father's friends were.…
I looked back to my father, who could see that this was the first time I had really seen horror of this kind. My father looked at me and asked, “Can you even imagine?” I shook my head, and told him, “No.” It wasn’t immediate, but the courage and selflessness that I had saw displayed by my fellow Americans on that day changed me. I began to look at the world in a new way, but more importantly I started to understand exactly why I should have pride in the fact that I am an American.…
As I came to college, my family and I anticipated I would be following a simple mold of a conscientious student. One that is highly focused in some limited number of long term goals. Don 't get me wrong, this only meant that I had high expectations out of my college education. For some people, this path leads them to great success. But, I slowly realized my vision of success needed to have stories from different roads and bridges, than just one simple path.…
Two minutes left in the game and we are a goal away from winning the first game of the season for my sister’s soccer team. The clock is ticking and time is running out. I sprint down the field with the ball as fast as I can when suddenly BAM! Lights out.…
Living in the United States of America provides many opportunities in jobs, education, and military. Many people immigrate to the United States to take these opportunities to make a better life for their families. But being an American citizen comes with certain responsibilities, and the biggest one involves protecting the United States and the people within. Being a part of the military is the biggest responsibility an American citizen can have, because you have to protect an entire country that influences so many others. You also have to respect the views and opinions of others and pay your taxes and income on time.…
Coming from an undocumented family, receiving a degree was proof that my parents’ sacrifice to give my brothers and me a chance for a better future was not in vain. Sitting in the computer lab, nervous about applying to universities, I waited patiently for my counselor, Ms. Brewer, to begin the workshop. I opened the Internet browser as I carefully followed Ms. Brewer’s directions of how to get to the webpage where we had to fill out our personal information and choose the four Cal States we wanted to apply to. I started to wonder off a bit while I explored the twenty-three options I had to choose from. “Wow Cal State San Diego sounds cool,…
Irish, Chinese, Spanish, French, Hispanic, whatever race and background, many people seek citizenship in America for many different reasons. Each one of them must go through a period of time in which they either become citizens or go back to their native country, during their stay each have a visa of some sort whether for work, student or just for visiting. However, once that card expires, they must leave or show that they are attempting to become citizens. The immigration system of the United States, restrictive in some ways, but is open in many others. America has always held the motto that is written on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”…
My coming to america Immigration to a new country is always a difficult decision, and whoever experienced it understands what kind of sacrifices people go through. When I left Russia at 18, I thought I was going to be in paradise. I thought I was going to live the American dream like I saw in Hollywood movies. On my plane ride to Los Angeles, I thought I was going to be just like Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City,” living in a big city, wearing designer clothes, and having a fabulous boyfriend. However, to my disappointment I found out that my life was not going to be what I was expecting.…
After my long and tiresome journey to my long awaited paradise of America, I anticipated following the gold rush and providing for my family back in China. I hoped to find a better life in America. I ending up at the distant land of Angel Island or so I have been told of various other immigrants. As I arrived I was excited to advance from this point and adventure into the land called America, but I was told that I would not be allowed to enter. Due to the Chinese exclusion laws I am told that I cannot enter America.…
During my Junior year I started saving up money to take a trip to Europe with some of my school mates. We unfortunately found that I did not have my citizenship papers, and I would definitely need those to travel cross country. Even though I became a citizen when I was adopted in 2005 we did not necessarily have the U.S. citizenship papers. So we began the application process so that I could receive those papers, and then apply for my passport, and take the trip. Fortunately we did not have to travel very far to take the Oath of Allegiance and receive my citizenship papers.…