Maria Marroquin, DreamActivist Pennsylvania

Undocumented Unafraid: Do Not Comply with the BAN!

My name is Maria and I am undocumented.

I am tired of waiting for this country to recognize me as the American that I am. I was born in Lima, Peru, but that is no longer a country I remember or consider my home. I have been living in the United States for almost half of my life and throughout that time, I have learned to love this country and everything about it. As a 13 year-old, I didn't understand what having my visa expire 6 months after my family and I came to this country would mean for my future. I didn't know that coming to this country in search of a better life would mean having to live a life in the shadows for over 10 years.

Soon after we arrived in the U.S, I was enrolled as a 9th grader in high school, where I began to identify myself as an American. I felt no different than any of my classmates and friends, but one thing separated me from them: a 9-digit number written on a piece of paper. Not having this piece of paper meant no driver's license, no graduation trip, and worst of all, not being able to continue with my education after graduation.

But I didn't give up and despite the obstacles I graduated from Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania with top grades. I was then able to attend Montgomery County Community College, paying my way as an international student with no financial help. After struggling for 5 years, I obtained my Associate's Degree in Social Science with a 3.98 GPA. I want to continue with my education and obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and then move onto law school, but the only thing holding me back is my status.

I have been organizing with DreamActivist.org since 2007 and DreamActivist Pennsylvania since 2009. It has now been 4 years of fighting for a piece of legislation that would allow me and my friends to be free in our own country. I have decided to take this step because I am tired of waiting for a pathway to legalization to pursue my dreams of a better future. I am tired of seeing students strive in school while legislators try to criminalize them for wanting an education.

In Georgia, undocumented students are currently banned from attending 5 public colleges, driving them further into a life in the shadows. I can no longer allow politicians to play with the futures of youth who only want the opportunity to realize their dreams. It is time for undocumented youth to stand up and say that we've had enough. We will not allow hate and fear to run this country.

I am willing to risk it all because I cannot hide any longer. I have made my choice and ask you, which side are you on?

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Nonprofits & Activism

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[jorgemena1]

<3

[blacksheep185]

@wisdom360, amen!

[NOHRA100]

Es muy triste la situacion que estas pasando, al igual que otros jovenes, cuyos padres tuvieron que dejar su pais buscando un mejor nivel de vida para su familia. Veo que has sabido aprovechar el sacrificio de tus padres al haber estudiado en la Universidad de Pensilvania. Ojala que las leyes tengan en cuenta esto y les den la ciudadania por ser parte del sistema actual que aporta al engrandecimiento de USA . Pero si quieres un dia regresar al peru y postular para Presidente tendras problemas!

[wisdom360]

That's why I hate this bullshit country. No decent country treats its own people like this. She should just get married so she can get papers though. I would marry her.

[MrValdri]

Todos debemos apoyamos a los indocumentados, sobre todo los que ya llevan mas de 10 años como es el caso de Maria Marroquin. Tendrian que tener el derecho de poder estudiar así como todos los demás. Apoyen el Dream Act.