Choose an issue of importance to you-the issue could be personal, school related, local, political, or international in scope-and write an essay in which you explain the significance of that issue to yourself, your family, your community, or your generation. Please give me your thoughts on it, any feedback will be appreciated.
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Many people take it for granted because it has always been there, right next to their name. That nine digit number that identifies them as an individual part of a much larger whole. That whole is America. But I am not part of this whole, at least not legally. The difference is that I was born 400 meters south of the border, 400 meters that have hung above my head, 400 meters marking the difference between citizen, and undocumented immigrant. For me and 65000 other undocumented high school graduates, the Dream Act represents hope at the end of an otherwise uncertain future.
I was born in Mexico, exactly two blocks away from the nearest US port of entry. Less than year later, my mother left her homeland behind with hopes of giving her children the best opportunity to acquire an education. Twelve years of school designed to eventually prepare all students for their next challenge, college. For most students, this includes essays, applications, and most importantly, financial aid. Unfortunately for me, no citizenship means no financial aid. With no financial aid to support on, college expenses will quickly become an enormous burden on my mother. Although struggling to make ends meet, she has never once doubted that all of my brothers and I will go to college.
Approval of the Dream Act would lay the groundwork for several things. For example, it would allow thousands of undocumented immigrants like myself to not only go to college, but also attend college without emerging in a sea of debt. Moreover, only after completing college would "dreamers" also be given the opportunity to become legal citizens of the United States. This in fact, would allow a vast number of current undocumented college graduates willing to become productive members of society an opportunity to seek legal employment in the United Sates.
Unfortunately, legislation and passage of the Dream Act lays in the hands of other people. All I can hope for is that they will understand that in their hands, lies the future and potential of brilliant students who have never known a home other than the United States.
~Alan Melendez
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Many people take it for granted because it has always been there, right next to their name. That nine digit number that identifies them as an individual part of a much larger whole. That whole is America. But I am not part of this whole, at least not legally. The difference is that I was born 400 meters south of the border, 400 meters that have hung above my head, 400 meters marking the difference between citizen, and undocumented immigrant. For me and 65000 other undocumented high school graduates, the Dream Act represents hope at the end of an otherwise uncertain future.
I was born in Mexico, exactly two blocks away from the nearest US port of entry. Less than year later, my mother left her homeland behind with hopes of giving her children the best opportunity to acquire an education. Twelve years of school designed to eventually prepare all students for their next challenge, college. For most students, this includes essays, applications, and most importantly, financial aid. Unfortunately for me, no citizenship means no financial aid. With no financial aid to support on, college expenses will quickly become an enormous burden on my mother. Although struggling to make ends meet, she has never once doubted that all of my brothers and I will go to college.
Approval of the Dream Act would lay the groundwork for several things. For example, it would allow thousands of undocumented immigrants like myself to not only go to college, but also attend college without emerging in a sea of debt. Moreover, only after completing college would "dreamers" also be given the opportunity to become legal citizens of the United States. This in fact, would allow a vast number of current undocumented college graduates willing to become productive members of society an opportunity to seek legal employment in the United Sates.
Unfortunately, legislation and passage of the Dream Act lays in the hands of other people. All I can hope for is that they will understand that in their hands, lies the future and potential of brilliant students who have never known a home other than the United States.
~Alan Melendez
