Pursuit of a D.R.E.A.M.

By Alejandra

As a 17-year-old and Valedictorians of my high school class, I was quite excited about my future. That is until my hopes and dreams of success were inexplicably put on hold. Regardless of my academic achievements, I have been placed in a box of limitations. When it came time for me to apply to college, my eligibility for certain merit scholarships and federal financial aid were declined. I couldn't even apply to certain colleges. Why? I am an undocumented student and many colleges simply do

not accept students like myself.

My story is not unique. I arrived in the U.S. from Colombia with my younger brother and my mother when I was seven and currently live in New York City. There are thousands of people in the same position as me scattered around the U.S. We are unfinished stories of unfinished lives. We are powerful individuals whose drive to succeed has been destroyed.

Students like me who have been raised in the U.S. and consider themselves Americans would benefit from the passage of The DREAM. (Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, which is currently in the Senate. This piece of legislation, along with the Student Adjustment Act version, which is in the House are two bipartisan bills that would minimize the barriers faced by undocumented students and provide those who meet the criteria with a chance at obtaining legal residency.

The Dream Act would benefit only those students who meet the requirements under the legislation reform: they must have been in the United States for at least 5 years; entered the US before the age of 16; graduated from High School or gotten their GED; have good moral character (no criminal record); be actively pursuing college. Eligible beneficiaries of the Dream Act would obtain a conditional temporary residency for six years, time in which they must either go to college for two years or serve in the military for two years. Once this six-year term is completed and the requirements are met, the applicant would be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Organizations like the Human Rights Activist Project (HRAP) from Global Kids are enabling us to make a difference in our futures. HRAP is a youth-led organization that has been campaigning for the Dream Act since it was introduced in Congress. Through HRAP, the NYC Dream Act Task Force and the collaboration of many organizations we are educating people about the issue and the importance of their support. HRAP has planned activities such as a rally in Washington (D.C.) in April lobbying legislative staff members and a skit in front of the Capitol connoting a mock graduation ceremony. Similar events were held in June in Brooklyn. As a result of all the hard work the Dream Act legislation holds 48 co-sponsors of the bill in the Senate and 142 co-sponsors of the bill in the House of Representatives.

For further information about Global Kids and the Human Rights Activist Project, contact info@globalkids.org or check out www.globalkids.org