My Name is Aran and I am Undocumented

This week's guest Dreamer is S. Aran.  Visit Dreamactivist.org to find out how you can help pass the DREAM Act.

I find telling my story to others extremely difficult. It usually begins with trepidation in my part, and sighs and discomfort from the listeners, who know from the first sentence that they are in for a lecture for which they probably did not ask. "So... you came here legally, but now you cannot get any documentation or status, why?" is the first of many questions uttered. From that point forward I automatically proceed to telling another more intricate and surreal story about a different DREAMer, that way people get a clear cut picture of our cause rather than confuse the issue by delving into the tangled mess my story actually entails.

My parents brought me to the United States at age 12 in the year 2000, we came under a work visa which allows for dual intent; meaning, that my parents were allowed to work and reside legally in the United States with immigrant intent. I remember being fascinated yet apprehensive by the idea of living in a different country and having to learn a new language and customs. I was enrolled in a nearby Middle School, and instructed to always be the best and excel at everything I did or attempted, and to not let anyone else discourage me for any reason. Which I did, after an initial rough patch.  I settled in and pretty soon adopted the American lifestyle as my own I quickly assimilated to my surroundings, made friendships which last to this day, and focused on my school work.

High school began, as I continued to pursue my education and obtained the grades, test scores, and highest requirements in order to attend the university of my choice. At times I wondered why I was not allowed to hold a job of my own, since all of my friends seemed to be doing more than just extracurricular activities and school like I was. I often asked my parents "Mom, Dad can I get a job?", and swiftly I was answered with "Yes, you may. However, you have to wait for our papers to finalize, and then you can go ahead and apply for any job you desire" in which they proceeded to explain to me how we came here, and what process we were in, and reassured me all would be ‘OK' since we were in line to get our Green Cards.

Time flew by, and I found myself filing applications to all the state universities during my senior year. Already within the top ten percent of my class, and being offered several scholarships to several colleges, it seemed like the decision to focus on school and my hard work had actually paid off. I had by then forgotten about jobs, or anything of the sort, since every time I asked about the subjects the same "We are waiting, let the adults handle it" answer came about in regards to my papers. This did not worry me in the least bit, as we paid taxes, I had gotten my drivers permit, a social security card, and everything seemed to be in order.

However, that feeling of certainty and assurance completely disappeared during the last months of High School. Acceptance letters came in the mail, stating that due to my immigration status the school could no longer offer me in-state tuition, and that any scholarship I had been offered in the past was only available to citizens and permanent residents. I looked to my parent for an explanation.  How this could be? Had we not done everything correctly? With pain in their eyes, remorse and embarrassment filling their faces, they replied that our immigration lawyer had not sent the proper paperwork on time, in order for us to obtain a permanent legal status.

Due to the negligence and malpractice of a single individual, to whom we had entrusted our future and paid out thousands of dollars, the window of opportunity for me and my family to obtain a Green Card became nothing more than a blank wall. Appeal after appeal was filed; there was no use in trying to reopen our case, and we found ourselves approaching an undocumented status as our licenses and other supporting documents approached their expiration date. My grades, high GPA, hundreds of community service hours, and high achievements during my school years meant nothing in the matter. I was to become undocumented regardless of the fact that I alongside my family "got in line" as many immigration opponents say for everyone to do.  My entire world came crashing down me

I discovered DREAM Act back in 2007, and for the past two years it has been my driving force and motivation to continue my education regardless of the status I may have. I enrolled in a local community college and proceeded to become as active as I could by debunking myths and spreading awareness about the DREAM Act to everyone who would lend and ear. One of my most memorable moments during my current schooling has been a speech I delivered during Public Speech class about the benefits of the DREAM Act. Everyone was impressed by my knowledge of the political system, and while they remained unaware of my undocumented status, they were very welcoming and acknowledging to what I had to say in regards to the struggle that DREAMers have to endure daily. Recently I was contacted by one of the students in the class, who thanked me for the inspiration which had given him the courage to go on and catapult himself to fight for student rights as a lobbyist in Washington D.C.

As of today, there is no happy ending to my story. Although I still have to live in fear of deportation daily, I maintain high hopes that this year is the year that finally we will see the DREAM Act become a reality and I will be able to further pursue my college career. The experiences and friendships that I have made up to this point, have shaped my character and made me a stronger individual, with the desire to be involved and be hands on current issues, to take a stand for what is right not only for myself, but for thousands, if not millions, of students who find themselves in the same situation as mine, whether they were brought here, fell out of status, or are victims of the broken immigration system.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I invite you the reader to return and continue reading more stories of fellow DREAMers that are displayed within this space. My hopes are that you will support this cause that would greatly benefit many of the bright and talented youth which the American population has already made an investment in by putting them through their public education years.