As a freshman at the University of Texas, San Antonio, pursuing a degree in politics and law, my days are consumed with studying mathematics, philosophy, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the Sombrilla Plaza fountain on pleasant spring days. However, my circumstances differ from most other students at UTSA. Being an undocumented immigrant who missed the cutoff for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, I am not authorized to work after graduation.
In recent years, thousands of undocumented students have faced similar challenges. The ruling against the DACA program by a federal judge in Texas in 2021, depriving over 100,000 immigrants, including 17,000 from Texas high schools, of any form of legal authorization or protection, has only exacerbated the problem. In-state tuition eligibility for undocumented students under certain requirements has helped over 58,000 Texas’s undocumented youth enroll in higher education. However, the significant gap in workforce in industries like healthcare and education remains too large to ignore.
I migrated with my family from Mexico to Texas in 2008 due to the increasing crimes that endangered our lives. Being from a modest background, our legal options were limited, forcing us to cross the Rio Grande near Laredo. I grew up attending school in Austin, unaware of my undocumented status until my senior year in high school when I started searching for internships and part-time opportunities to fund my education. The lack of a social security number and work permit constituted a huge obstacle to my aspirations and devastated me.
Despite the challenges, I decided to pursue higher education. I joined Breakthrough Central Texas as an advocacy fellow, where I have been able to share my concerns, submit testimonies against unjust laws and policies, and advocate for the rights of undocumented immigrants and minorities to access higher education. My dream is to be a lawyer, but the limitations of current immigration policies pose significant challenges to my future prospects.
I won’t be confined to the shadows, and I refuse to be held back by fear. Speaking up about the injustices and challenges that we face as immigrants is our only chance at effecting change. Only Congress can provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth, and creating opportunities for us ultimately benefits Texas’s economy. Though my future may seem uncertain, I keep moving forward and remain committed to shedding light on a path that leads to a brighter, more promising future.
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