Loyal reader Nina wrote:

Sandra,

I am a loyal reader of your site. It’s the first thing I do in the morning. I love your point of view and opinion on issues. But this morning I was a little offended on your post on immigration. I am a 20 year old college student living illegally in the United States. My parents brought me to this country as a young child to escape the violence on the border, as my neighbors were being drawn to the drug and mafia business. In 1996, the year before our move, three of our neighbors where killed by decapitation and their bodies were left in the streets I walked to get to school.

My father was a professional and he left his job, his home and his country to work as a laborer here in the states. Just so I could have a chance to make my dreams come true and live a safe life, without fear. We applied to become legal, but there is a ten year waiting list and we still have four to go. As you probably know, the process is long and expensive, while we had the money we just didn’t have the time to wait. I am a DREAMer. The reason I am in college is because of scholarships I earned. I have completely assimilated to this country, I am not one of those hat and boot wearing “beaners”.

I did countless hours of volunteer work in high school. I have done so much to break the stereotypes people have of us but sometimes I feel like it was all worthless. I feel like this is my country, I barely remember the other one. My only chance to further my education is the DREAM Act. My family pays taxes and obeys the law. We aren’t “eses”. I think we deserve a chance. You can send back all the criminals but actually an immigration reform could contribute with the growth of the economy. It cost a lot of money for an undocumented immigrant to obtain a permanent status. Also lots of undocumented people have the American dream to obtain their own houses in some cases they even have the money to buy but because of their status they can not.

Just something to think about. I know when I become legal, whether it be by the DREAM Act or by waiting the four years I have left the first thing I would do is buy a car, which I have the money to buy. I would take a big student loan to further my education which I would pay back with interest. Sandra don’t be so negative and hard, there is always exceptions. I didn’t choose to come here, but I will forever be grateful to my parents. I have learned to love this country. All I need is one chance. I have so many dreams that have been shut down one by one. I didn’t even know I was undocumented until I was 16, when all my friends went to get their drivers license but I couldn’t because of something called a social security number. I hope they do something.

At the end of the day you can hear and read all kinds of things, but you really won’t know until you’re in that persons shoes. I have hidden this fact about me for a long time, but not anymore. My goal is to spread the word about the DREAM Act, even if it is one person at the time. There are millions of kids like me. They shouldn’t be punished for their parents actions. They are Americans. So many people put us down over lies and myths they have heard.I hope you agree with me in some ways.

Other than that keep up the good work Sandra & God bless!