Elizabeth, N.J., March for CIR
My objective is to give you a glimpse of an illegal Hispanic teen’s life. Although I may seem like an average teenage girl I have a unique story filled with hardships and misfortunes that day by day I have to overcome.
Unlike many 16-year-olds I have a burden that I have to think about each and every day. To my dismay I am labeled as an illegal immigrant. This creates many problems concerning my school career and of course my personal life.
I believe it is incredibly unfair that I, along with many other Hispanics that share the same immigration documentation problems, are not able to achieve the complete educational experience an American teen civilian can. Not only do they have the chance to go to any college they wish, but they can achieve national scholarships that help them out tremendously.
As I was told by my high school guidance counselor, illegal immigrants can not receive financial aid from the government, so with this said my dreams of ever going to a strong college vanished.
I do not come from a rich family; in fact, I come from a regular working class family. I have two amazing parents who work their fingers to the very bone so I, along with my brother and sister, can live comfortably; therefore, without financial aid we would be inundated with debt and life would not be any easier.
I have spoken to many people I admire and trust, including my chemistry and English teachers, and they have said, “Do not give up! You are a very smart individual and push yourself to the max.” But as they said this I wondered to myself, ”Why exert myself? If I’m not going to college, what difference does it make?” Not only did this affect my mood, for awhile it affected my performance in school.
I have always belonged to the higher classes ever since eighth grade, covering honors English, Biology, algebra, chemistry, geometry, physics, pre-calculus, and Spanish, but as I said, for awhile I kind of gave up. But now I have awoken and realized, no, don’t give up, keep fighting and go against what some people have drilled in your head. You will go to college and make something utmost of yourself. Become one of the many independent Hispanic women who work to support themselves and their family.
I will not let my status in this country hold me back from letting me be the best that I can. Not only am I a proud Ecuadorian but I am also a strong American. I deserve to get the same rights as everyone else. Growing up in America since I was three years old, I have been taught this is the land of freedom and the people here can fight for what they want and believe in. So all in all, immigration laws should be acted upon because teens like me, who work hard every day and stress on how important education is and how far it can take you, should have the same opportunity as everyone else.
We should be able to have a regular job that is on the books and be able to obtain a driver’s license like every growing teen does. Why deprive us of something as convenient as this? As I said, I will not allow myself to get turned down. There are possibilities out there and I want to stress that to the other teens. Don’t give up! Have hope and pray to God that laws will be passed and life will get just a bit easier, but in the meantime work, work, work and hold your head high.
Thank you for listening to me and I am sure we will make a difference today.
Adapted from Carolina Munoz’s address to a march and rally for comprehensive immigration reform, held in Elizabeth, N.J., earlier this summer.
I am very impressed with this testimony. A young girl who is in the same situaion of thousands of students in this country. But, a young girl with courage to face and being a good example for everyone whos is afraid to say so.
Congratulations to the parents and people who are around this beautiful example.
Change, we need to be united to change the world
Tha peace maker.
Carolina’s talk at our rally on the steps of City Hall was super. It’s hard to believe that she, who is denied her dream of continuing her education, is not already holding a doctoral degree! Any college would be privileged to take her in on full scholarship. She would make them Proud! P, Juan
Estimada Carito:
No sabes cuanta alegría me da saber que tu con tu preparación y formación humana y cristian luchas por conseguir lo que todos ansiamos en la vida: ser útiles a Dios y la comunidad pero sobre todo obteniendo una profesión digna de ti. Tu esfuerzo y dedicación por lograr este añorado sueño es digno de ti y nos hace sentir orgullosos a la distancia y aspiramos que ello se cumple y puedas lograr tu sueñor Dorado.
Esperamos toda mi familia que todas tus buenas acciones en pro de conseguir tu anhelado sueño se convierta en una realidad y seas la fuerza y el amor de tu familia especialmente de tus padres y hermanos y tyoda una familia que sigue paso a paso tu dilatada actividad como una lider de Ecuador en conseguir su SUEÑO DORADO.
Tu abuelo que espera lo major para ti y tu futuro sea digno y fortalecido con una buena formación de conocimientos y de obras humanitaria a quienes te rodean y esperan de ti lo mejor. Adelante que el futuro recién comienza para ti.
Fausto Mendoza
Carolina, I am so proud of you!! Thank you for standing up and telling loud your thoughts and feelings, I pray and hope in God, you will be able to go to College, as many others teens that choose to become a professional and independent people in this beautiful country.
Hope your voice, our voices are heard, we can’t waisted smart & talented people like you
Love you so much
Mona
Prima Carito:
Estoy completamente admirado de lo que una joven con sed de superación y sed de igualdad puede llegar a realizar y proponer, esto es una muestra de que la juventud de ahora tiene muchas cosas positivas con el fin de lograr un mejor mañana para los que más lo necesitan, por eso te digo prima, que con más valentía y determinación sigas adelante con este proyecto, no te rindas que en esta época el mundo es de los valientes. Te queremos mucho.
Jorge y familia.
Carolina,
You are exactly the type of teen that this country should exemplify. Furthermore, you are exactly the type of person this countries philosophies were built on. Without mindsets such as yours, we would not be the special place in the world that we are. Keep up your fight and know that there are so many of us that support you in everything you are doing. You should be extremely proud of yourself and I can’t wait to hear your speech several years from now when you are a successful contributing American.
You rock!
Love,
Jill
Caro, Sigue adelante con tus anhelos. Estaremos orando mucho por esta causa y se que Dios va a manifestar su justicia. Te admiro mucho y se que vas a tener muchos logros en tu vida por tu determinacion, esfuerzo, dedicacion y mas que nada por que te has convertido en una voz para otras teens en la misma situacion.
Familia Mancheno
I’m so proud of you, Caro. I thank God for this very talented and courageous daugther. Your dad and I will stand always by you, supporting everything you do. You and all the teens in the same conditions will go to college. We pray God for this to happen. And don’t dismay, there will be several figths but in the end justice will win.
We love you,
Mom and Dad.
Carolina,
Tienes lo que se necesita para ser un triufador y con Dios de la mano se puede ver el gran futuro que te espera. Sigue adelante que te apoyamos en este hermoso sueño de lograr un mejor mañana, yo se que unidos se puede hacer la diferencia.
Famila Carrasco
Carolina,
Tienes lo que se necesita para ser un triufador y con Dios de la mano se puede ver el gran futuro que te espera. Sigue adelante que te apoyamos en este hermoso sueño de lograr un mejor mañana, yo se que unidos se puede hacer la diferencia.
Famila Carrasco