Camila
Immigrated with her family from Buenos, Aires, Argentina, in 2001 to
U.S.
I was brought to the U.S. at seven years old by my immigrant parents.
I’ve now lived in America for 17 years. Being an illegal immigrant
means living in fear of deportation;there is no promise of security.
Despite all my efforts to my community and to this country, the
President doesn’t believe that I am up to par to be a law-abiding
citizen. The U.S. is the only home I have ever known, and no DACA
means losing everything I have ever worked toward.
Adelle
She and he parents immigrated from the Phillipanes to US 1998
In my seat, I visualized myself getting smaller until I disappeared. I was
in a room with my dad and the middle-school principal. I was sent to
detention because I didn’t have my parents sign the test I failed. This
would be my first and only time being picked up from detention. My dad
made sure of that. He thought this would ruin my chance of going to a good
college, which he believed was my only chance of a good life. He told the
principal the story of how our family left the Philippines when I was five
so I could benefit from growing up in America. We were here so I could get
a good education and a better life, he said. The principal was moved by my
dad’s explanation. He told us this would still go on my record but assured
us it would not follow me into high school.