I was motivated to share this as others have done coming out with their story of being undocumented in this country and what that entails. Specifically the article in the New York Times by Jose Antonia Vargas, You can find his story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html
The picture on the right is one that I took at the immigration march in Washington DC.
Below is something I wrote and read to the Education Committee in Lincoln Nebraska a little more than a year ago with an introduction directed at my sister who read my speech at Saint Mary's Latino Cultural Night 2009.
Hey,
So I am currently involved with the Mexican American Commission in
Nebraska. Nebraska currently provides in state tuition for
undocumented immigrants. LB 1001 was proposed that would eliminate
that provision and there was a hearing on February 1st. We were well
prepared and spoke before the senate from all aspects education, law,
personal, faith based and the likes. I testified and below is my
testimony. It was a great hearing and I think the senators really
understood our message. One of the main proponents of LB 1001 is a guy
named Kris Kobach. He has been named by very prominent organizations
as a white supremacist and one of the senators asked him about it
which he denied of coarse. Well anyhow below is my article. Hope you
are doing great. (Continuing the fight for equality everywhere!)
[update: this law did not pass and undocumented students in Nebraska are still in school :)]
_____
Dear Education Committee,
My name is Maria Hernandez, and I am in opposition to LB 1001.
Let me begin by saying that Undocumented students are not criminals
who chose to break the law and enter this country. They were brought
here by their parents, as many people have been doing for centuries in
search of the American Dream, many at an early age, before they can
even recall. They are more American than anything else. They speak
English, wear American brands, watch American shows, date other
Americans, play sports, and have American Dreams. Most of them have no
memory of their birth country and consider it as foreign as anyone
else. These students aim to pursue their education and better American
society as a whole. They have no plans of using their degrees (if they
are in fact allowed to attain one) in another country. They see The
United States of America and Nebraska as their home. Yes, they may
have ties to their native country through customs, language and
parents, but in essence what we are dealing with here is with American
students who see themselves participating fully in American society.
Proponents of LB 1001 aim to exclude these students from the great
higher education of Nebraska, but what this bill would do, would be to
exclude Americans from attaining an education. If we deny one segment
of our population an education, we are denying our advancement as a
whole from moving forward, we being Nebraskans.
You may ask how I may claim such statements;
I too, was an undocumented student.
I too, was brought here at an early age by my parents,
I too had the same dreams that my peers had,
to attend prom,
to participate in homecoming
and yes, to attend college.
Like most of you,
I was brought up reciting the pledge of allegiance,
watching the super bowl,
understanding the value of the bill of rights and our constitution.
I sat in class listening to stories of past immigrants who were able
to achieve success against adversity. Those past immigrants are now at
the forefront in all fields including science, education, and law.
What I wanted at the time was to be a part of that process, in this
country of immigrants that I am not a mere visitor to, but that I call
home. Being undocumented at the time, I thought that my dreams of
college would have to be deferred. Luckily for me, I was able to
legalize my status one week before my college applications were due.
Furthermore, I was very lucky to legalize my status, but that is
unusual. For the vast majority, there currently is no way to apply and
so I am here to speak on their behalf.
In 2008 I received my Bachelors Degree and will begin a Masters
program this fall. I plan on being a teacher to blind students and
thus pave a path for other Americans to succeed. With the education
that I have received, I plan to help my community and the country that
has provided me with this opportunity. What this bill would do, would
be to deny this right to other students.
In conclusion, I see The United States of America as my home, like
most undocumented students who, like wise, were raised here and want
to attain the American Dream. I understand that those that favor LB
1001 also want what is best for Nebraskans, but the denial of
education to any group, is the denial of education and advancement to
the whole.
Sincerely,
Maria Concepcion Hernandez
