Ricardo Muñiz Lights a Torch for the California Dream Act

Since March, immigrant youth in California have been staging events all over the state to raise awareness of AB130 and AB131, the California Dream Act. The measure would provide access to in-state tuition for undocumented youth who have grown up in the United States.

From San Diego to Sacramento, immigrant students are participating in 15 ceremonies in which the same torch is lighted that “represents the hopes, aspirations, and dreams of thousands of hard-working undocumented youth and their families in California,” according to Justino Mora, member of the California Dream Network. “Moreover, with this campaign we aim to highlight our great potential, resilience amid adversity, and never-ending passion to continue to pursue our dreams,” he adds.

The most recent person to light a torch is Ricardo Muñiz, the 22-year-old community activist and mentor who recently received a letter of deportation just two days before enrolling in summer school. Despite President Obama’s constant reassurances that his administration’s goal is not to deport hardworking students, the words haven’t matched the actions. Young people like Ricardo, who was brought to the country when he was 7 years old and dreams of starting his own environmentally friendly business venture, are still being targeted.

Says Ricardo, who has juggled helping his mom financially, excelling in school, and mentoring youth to stay in school: “I am here to ask America for a chance to contribute with the economic success of Southern California and the U.S. My mind races when I think about what I can do once I earn a double degree in international business and international relations. I want the U.S. to be a tougher competitor in the green economy. I am eager to put my ideas to work as a citizen of the world’s strongest economy. I see my ideas in environmentally-friendly business ventures turning into money and jobs, at the same time that we protect the planet.”

At the most recent torch lighting ceremony, Ricardo sought to represent immigrant youth like him all over the country: Brought to the U.S. at a young age with no choice over the matter, eager to contribute to the communities where they spent all of their lives, and waiting in limbo for legislators to take action on common-sense bills that would make it easier for young people to contribute positively.

As for Ricardo, he has enrolled in summer school, and he is fighting his deportation. More than 10,000 Change.org members have agreed with the California Dream Network and California Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) that Ricardo belongs in this country, where he has lived nearly all of his life and where he stands to contribute much. Help Ricardo’s supporters reach their goal of 25,000 signatures by adding your name now.