My name is Georgina Perez and I am undocumented.

I was brought to this country when I was three years old. My mother is a courageous woman who left everything and everyone she knew behind in order to allow her child the opportunity for a better life. She has always taught me that education was the key to success.

I am currently twenty-one years old and in 2001 I was brought to Georgia. I was immediately made aware that I was different. When I was in seventh grade, there was a parent-teacher conference and at the middle school that I attended they did not have any translators. I was used to translating for my mom, so I went with her. The next day when I went to school, all my teachers knew that I had translated for my mom and my Georgia Studies teacher became cold towards me, like I was now suddenly an “other,” like I was now inferior.

When it was time to apply to college, I knew that I had slim options, because there was no way for me to be able to pay out-of-state tuition. I knew that I had to find an alternative, because I had to be the first one in my family to do this; it was my goal, it was my dream. So this is where I knew I had to do something. I could both sit back and wait for someone to do something for me or take action myself.

In good faith, we have waited for these politicians patiently and in return we have been given the run-around. Now, after the lobbying, petitions, phone-banking, hearings, rallies and protests, we have seen that nothing has changed. Rather than having our voices heard, our communities are the constant targets of inequality, injustices and racist legislation.

I am tired of seeing students, like Jessica, being persecuted for wanting to have a basic education. Here in Georgia, after her case became public, many undocumented immigrants became even more afraid. We were forced even deeper into the shadows.

But I have finally realized the ONLY way we can win is if we are more unafraid than ever before.

On October 2010, the Board of Regents here in Georgia passed a ban, which denies acceptance to undocumented students to Georgia’s top five public universities. Although undocumented students pay out of state tuition and only represent less than .02 percent of the student body (300,000), this policy, like many other enacted and proposed laws, have nothing to do with the rule of law. Rather, it is clear they are about hate, racism and the creation of second class of citizens, which is morally wrong and politically influenced.

I am now asking you to stand up with me. Being quiet and waiting for someone to save us is not an option. For our parents, their sacrifices, our struggles and our DREAMS, it is time for us to come out as UNDOCUMENTED AND UNAFRAID.

As undocumented youth we have decided which side of history we will fall on.

I am asking all my friends and allies, which side are you on?

I am undocumented and I am no longer afraid.