Andrea Rosales was brought to the United States at the age of 5. She is currently a 22 year old college senior and will be receiving her Bachelor’s in Sociology and Latino Studies this May. With graduation soon approaching, Andrea finds herself unable to use her degree to give back to the community that nurtured her. She is currently organizing for the empowerment of undocumented youth with the Immigrant Youth Justice League in Illinois. Tired of waiting for politicians to act, she believes the time has come to take action.

Full story below.

My name is Andrea Rosales. I am Undocumented.  I am Unafraid.

For the longest time, we were told to wait. Wait for politicians to act. Wait until after elections, so they can secure a few votes. Wait for the right time to introduce a bill. Wait to try to pass a comprehensive reform bill based on enforcement, and to put our DREAMs on the backburner. Wait for our voices in the immigrant community, and the voices of undocumented youth, to be heard.

Just wait… so we did. But not without lobbying, filing petitions, fighting the deportation of our peers case-by-case, and speaking out.

Back in October 2007, when 44 Senators killed DREAM, I was waiting. Then, a freshman in college, with a pair of private scholarships securing my first two semesters, I was hopeful. I was hopeful in returning the next year to school, so I treaded forth. Every single year, I waited for recognition and validation in my education and my future in the country I was raised in.

My parents brought me to this country at the age of five, so my first experience with the education system in the U.S. was in kindergarten. Navigating through grade school and high school proved to be easier, at least compared to the present.

I am currently 22 years old, a senior in college and with more years in the U.S. education system than my parents in their respective countries of origin. I realize that I have been one of the lucky ones who have been able to attend college and pay in-state tuition, whereas my peers have had to drop out or were discouraged to even apply because they could not afford it. On the other hand, I dread to think about what my future will bring. My mom has been working countless back-breaking jobs to support us, and what will I have to offer her once I graduate? She too was expecting for my education to pay off.

This May, I will be receiving my Bachelor’s in Sociology and Latino/a Studies with a minor in Asian American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. And although I applied to thirteen schools in hopes of pursuing a PhD in Ethnic Studies, I realize that the chances of me once again declining any acceptance or possible fellowship are far greater. Still, no matter what happens, I no doubt find strength in knowing that we, as undocumented youth, are growing into adults with much power, who refuse to fail fighting.

I am tired of waiting. I know what side I am on – which side will you be on?