My name is Yahaira Carrillo, and I am an undocumented immigrant.
I didn’t know what were doing, where we were going or why I had to crawl under a fence, but I did.. It was southern California, 1993, and I was eight years old; my mother and I were going to reunite with my father.
I was born in 1985 to a barely-turned 16 year-
old who had been kicked out of her house while she was pregnant for being a disgrace to the family. I lived with my mother in an abandoned house in Guerrero, Mexico. She struggled to find work, but was either harassed or asked for sexual favors. She said no. She was 17 in 1986 when the 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico. She decided to take me to the US, but we didn’t stay that long. At my grandmother’s request, we returned to Mexico. The hits kept coming: my mother ended an abusive relationship with a military man and feared for her life.
Then, my father called- after abandoning my mother while she was pregnant and being MIA for most of my early years, decided he wanted us to join him in California. My options have always been limited. When I was 14, my 18-year-old boyfriend wanted to marry me. I said no. When I graduated from the top of my high school class, I thought I couldn’t go anywhere. My parents were migrant farm workers- college wasn’t likely. But years later, I found a private college in Kansas that would accept me. I worked myself to the bone, and obtained an Associate’s Degree. Today, I am working towards my Bachelor’s degree. According to my calculations, it will take me eight years.
I’ve had people tell me that it’s not a big deal, that I should keep on waiting for the DREAM Act to pass. My life has been on pause, rewind or replay for years. Waiting is not an option. Join us.
- Graduate of Donnelly College, Associate’s Degree
- Currently attending Rockhurst University
- Founder of the Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance
Follow Yahaira!
Facebook: Yahaira Carrillo
Twitter: @ycarrillo4
Country of Origin: Mexico
Current City: Kansas City
You can do it Yahaira. You are so strong in the journey that you have already taken. I will continue to fight and pray for you. Keep in touch. I will be moving to DC to fight at a federal level June 1st from the messed up state of Arizona. I found my callling and my fiance in DC and I just got my masters degree in social work. I have been very involved in fighting for what is just, fair, and right for the last year. God bless.
Quote
greetings ms. CARRILLO.
i found your “story” to be quite interesting… and it has inspired a couple of questions (if you don’t mind):
1. what does “UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT” mean?
apologies for such a stupid question, but do you have a “legal” right to be in the US right now?
2. also… can you explain to me a little more about your session at the “private college in Kansas” ? did the college help you obtain legal right to be in the US while you were attending the school? or were you “undocumented” all the way through college?
just curious to understand the circumstances in a bit more detail.
cheers,
Quote
Yahaira, Preciosa, I am proud of your stance on this issue and wish you all the success in achieving your DREAM! I will help you any way I can.
Quote
Yahaira,
Keep the faith and hope. Legislation changes and one day we will not be oppressed.
Quote
Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope…In the mean time, remember that legislation does not guide all of humanity. There are plenty of human beings out here who don’t need government or politics to tell them how to love and respect another human being. We are looking forward to your impact. Suerte!
Quote
DON’T GIve up.. MY name is yajayra. Too lol but we spell it different.. I will pray for you.. Stay strong.. Don’t let anyone put you down
Quote
Hola muchachos, soy Anselmo Rascon el fotografo de Tucson, Arizona, los invito a que vean la historia completa aqui en Tucson.
Reciban un saludo y los felicito por su balentia.
http://www.emigracionaventurademuerte.com/52.html
entran y vallan al “BLOG” ahi esta la hisroria.
Quote
Stay strong. Come home to Kansas City, soon.
Quote
这是你的个人网站啊？
看了你的故事了…
Quote
Its been over a year now. How is your education coming?
Quote