Hello 2011

I know all I've been talking about has been how amazing this coming year is for me, so there's very little need for me to repeat what's so special about this new year.

I do want to make it clear though that just because the past years haven't been so drastically life-changing doesn't make them any less important. If you've been following my blog I think by now you realize the type of person I am, I am goal-oriented and make the best of situations no matter how bad they've been. I know life could be worse, but this is not a contest to see how bad life can get, it's just an exposé of what my life has been.

Honestly the more I think about the reality of the changes I do get a little overwhelmed but it's all about taking things as they come. I hope the best for all of you and those around you. Don't think that because things will be resolved for me I will stop blogging thought, we will see a transition for sure, but let's just take changes as they come.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Hector Lopez gets Justice TOO!

Hector Lopez is a 20 year old who has been in the U.S. since he was 6 months old, he literally grew up here. I first wrote about him December 3rd. Turns out he was brought back to the U.S! Hector Lopez's life is set right. Unfortunately his father is still in Mexico, but hopefully something will be worked out for him so their family can be reunited.

Mark Farrales Update

The UCSD Graduate student Mark Farrales who was facing deportation was given an extra year to remain in the U.S. Read Here.

Belated Merry Christmas

Apologies for the belated holiday spirit. In my family our Christmas dinner is on Christmas Eve so all of the 24th we spend it preparing food, I look forward to this day as much as any American-born person looks forward to Thanksgiving dinner. In my family particularly it's not always about the gifts, because we can't always afford an insane amount of gifts like the consumer driven holiday depicts. We have always had a greater emphasis on acknowledging how lucky we are to still have each other, and have the relationship and trust we have.

The last 16 years have had us on edge, and we are so relentlessly thankful that this will be the last stressful Christmas. Like I've shared before, the closer we get to the finish line the more frantic and impatient I become. It's definitely a difficult situation to manage but I've lived with it and now that I'm older know how to better handle my impatience. There's no use in becoming restless, especially now.

Every time we come around another new year I tell myself it's going to be different, that "this is the year", but now, today, 2011 really is the year. I keep repeating this because I still don't believe it, but perhaps by reminding myself I'll be better prepared when the time truly comes.

I hope everyone had a great time with their families over this holiday season. If you didn't get what you wanted this year, be thankful. We must remember that sometimes we are better off without certain things in life we convince ourselves are necessary.

Be thankful for what you have and don't have.

MUCH LOVE!!!

biometrics

Today was the day, it wasn't as exciting as I wanted to think it was haha. It's really more about what it symbolizes rather than what the process actually is. Progress. One step closer, and really the materialization of the prize.

Finger printing is not what it was when I was last finger printed (that makes me sound old haha this was less than 10 years ago!), it's all digital now, no ink on your fingertips to clean off at the end. They took my picture, now the FBI can actually find me, but they won't because I've committed no crimes.

After I got home I spent the rest of the day reading the last 200pgs of Love in time of cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. I first read him in a Spanish literature class at UCSB, I'd gone my entire life hating poetry and he showed up and threw that out the window. So now I'm going to read Las otras puertas (The Other Doors) which was one of the books I picked up from giant pile of books being thrown out by the Spanish department, I've always loved taking books people want to get rid of.

Hope my readers are well.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Grad student facing deportation

This man, Mark Farrales has been living in the U.S. for 21 years and is in danger of being thrown out of the only place he calls home. Way to catch the criminals ICE.

the goings on with the "DREAM Act"

I apologize I didn't report diligently as I usually do with the passing of the DREAM Act at the House and it's failure at the Senate. While it was up for vote at the House I was preparing for finals, three of which I got As in (grade for the 4th class hasn't been posted yet). I must be honest, and those of you who know me or have been following me, may expect this response, I am not surprised the Dream Act did not pass in the Senate. I realize it comes off pessimistic, I consider it being realistic.

Like I divulged before, I'm not exactly sure what those against the Dream Act think they are giving away here, especially after all the changes they made to it before it was voted on in the House. Either way, reality is, the Dream Act has been undergoing voting for 10 years, and it has not passed, so go from there. I deeply admire those who have put so much of their lives into fighting for the Dream Act and refuse to give up, I hope to have that kind of diligence in my life.

On a more personal note, I am on break until dundunDUN, February 14! I've plenty to keep myself busy with: reading, reporting news and sharing myself with you, writing, exercising, preparing for the GRE, further researching Nutrition Masters programs, and who knows maybe even looking for a job :X

This coming Tuesday I'm getting my biometrics done (or taken/measured all of that), and I'm pretty sure that will be all the progress we make since it's Christmas this weekend. So unless my interview date has already been set and it gets sent out before New years, I won't be hearing anything until January. Either way, the interview most likely won't be until January or February, it's the most amazing thing I've had to look forward to since I sent my Intent to Register to UCSB.

I can't even fathom the gates of life finally opening up to me completely, I have gone my entire life with an extremely selectively permeable wall that despite the difficulties I will go through in finding a job and becoming a real person, I won't recognize them as obstacles. Boundaries will be nonexistent.

I will finally be getting my wings!!

Thank you for following and supporting.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Anniversary

Today commemorates 21 years since my dad arrived in the U.S. As I'm typing this he is telling my mom of his arrival and how lost he was taking the buses around here. None of us could've imagined what was going to happen six years later and what we were going to live through and be where we are this very moment.

I a graduate of UCSB working towards a Masters in Nutrition, a son (whose existence none of us could've guessed) who is now half-way through his sophomore year of high school. And the endless sacrifices both my parents have had to make to be here, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

All my best to my readers :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

And by the way, can't wait for Tuesday 21st to roll around :X

Let the Magic Start!

Today, as well as Dec 21st are the new benchmarks! Today, in my mail box was the receipt to my application to adjust status (immigration telling me they've received it) and a date for me to show up and get finger printed. I will be going on the records as an approved human being!

Perhaps I'll be hearing from them regarding my interview date soon (fingers crossed)! This coming year really is going to be a new year, not just changing its digits, but new in what new truly means, uncharted, unfamiliar ground to be traversed, this is so exciting!!!

There is always something great waiting on the other side :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

the Injustice Continues

ICE is supposed to be focusing its resources on criminals, why then was Hector Lopez hunted down? I can't imagine what it must be like to live your entire life thinking you are right with the law when in reality you are not.

I don't need to be reminded of how lucky I am to be where I am today. Prior to having the success I did last month my mom would constantly freak out about raids being reported on the news. I'd tell her she needed to calm down because for one immigration would not be looking for people in the neighborhood we live in, and two, why would they be coming after me? I'm not a drug dealer, human trafficker, money launderer, why would they waste their time coming after me? I've done nothing wrong. To read what happened to Hector Lopez, Steve Li just leaves me dumbfounded, these are young adults in pursuit of productive socially contributing lives, just like me and yet they are being treated like criminals, I of course got the sweeter end of the stick. When neither of them had any control of their circumstances, they are barely finding out the reality of the legal status and are instantly punished . . . there's something wrong with that.

I wish nothing but the best for Hector Lopez, all I can do is write about it in my blog, same goes for Steve Li. I'm sorry you guys are going through what you're going. And this goes out to all those that don't get written about and are just lost.

We need to remember that difficult situations like this only make us stronger, it's easy for me to say because I've never been in such a difficult situation as being arrested, being thrown back into a country I wouldn't know my way around and a society that would most likely marginalize me for not belonging. All I can say is find the best in the worse of situations.

How is the country (the U.S.) benefiting from throwing out people who are potentially contributing members of society while keeping all criminals and dishonest people? I know it's all about where the money is . . . this world can be so unfair but we can't be beaten by it because there is good in the world despite all the pain and suffering.

Stay strong out there.

MUCH LOVE!!

The New "DREAM" Act

I thought the government was to be there for the people?

A new version of the DREAM Act has been drafted and the product is one huge smack in the face.

Personally I think this is going to leave people in the same position they are in right now as undocumented immigrants. They will be required to wait 10 years until they can attain residency. In that time they will not be allowed to have any health benefits, there is no mention of federal aid for school, but chances are there will be no access to that either. If there is no residency there is still no drivers license, no job. Unless the government plans on immediately passing out intents of giving residency and those people will be given temporary documentation until they receive their residency, there is no change in their lives!

They say a 10 year waiting period until residency is attained, that is after however long it takes them to vote on the DREAM Act, and take the DREAM Act into effect. So let's waste another 11 or 13 years of people's lives? For the young ones that means grad school, but how many people's parents can afford to get them through graduate school?

The entire reason for wanting legalization is to become independent individuals!!!! This is not a solution, like they say in the article, it is simply a "political victory" because it is benefiting people in no way at all. Except creating greater frustrations for people, but I suppose having a defined waiting period is better than having absolutely no idea when your situation is going to be solved. I can definitely tell you the weight of the world and universe has been lifted off me since learning how much time is left for my battle to end.

I really really hope something can be done for those people like Julieta Garibaldi, how she managed to get herself through graduate school I can only imagine. I know that my dad could not have put me through it without getting a stress-related illness. This life is economically suffocating, this is not the DREAM.

I'd love to hear what you think of this newly drafted DREAM Act.

Deep breaths . . . Thanks for reading and happy December! :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

Day of Acknowledgement

Before the craziness of today begins, I want to just remind you all to be thankful for everything you have and don't have. I am not excluded from those who fall into taking life and parts of life for granted. I can't say I am regularly thankful for the wonderful things in my life but because I am constantly reminded of the limitations of my life, I am forced to stop and recognize that the things I don't have yet, have a purpose for their absence. I won't keep you here long.

I just want to share how grateful I am to have this exact life. There is no recipe for the perfect balance in a person to be aware of the privilege they are in. Yes, I feel privileged for this life, this very life, nothing changed. Thankful for the things I've had to live through simply because of the beautiful and amazing people life has wanted me to encounter and the many things I've learned with them.

From the deepest part of my heart I hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones. Don't ever regret not having something in your life, there is a reason for why everything is and isn't, that is one of the main things I have had to learn in my life.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Immigration Law in CA

Check out this craziness some guy is trying to get out on the ballot in 2012: CA to have immigration law mirroring AZ law tsktsk! Does this guy not know what state he lives in? Not see who was most present at this last election? Even I heard Hispanic voters came out to specifically oppose runners opposing laws against immigration. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens with this. I personally think it's going to flop but voters always surprise, so I'm looking forward to see how this goes.

Update on Steve Li

Steve Li has been released! There are beautiful people out there in the world who actually take their political positions seriously and want to use it for justice and the well-being of people, citizens or not. I can't imagine what Li must have gone through, not knowing that his status here in the U.S. was not considered "legal". What I wonder is how did he not realize his undocumented status when trying to get a job? Did he never attempt to get a job because he's a student? What motivated student doesn't attempt to get a job to enrich his background, especially someone who knows where they want to go. To save money for school.

I hope that with Li's story, people become aware of how badly the DREAM needs to be passed. There are so many people out there like Li who probably have no idea they are undocumented and will be faced with the horrid truth one day and won't be able to move on with their lives because they can't afford school or life.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the festivities to come this week (Thanksgiving for those of you outside the U.S.)

Thanks for caring.

Here's a quote I came across today I want to leave you with.
"Always Remember:
you're Braver than you Believe,
and Stronger than you Seem,
and Smarter than you think."
Christopher Robin


MUCH LOVE!!!

Decision on In-State Tuition

Once again so eternally grateful I live in the Greatest state of the United States of America, the Golden State, CALIFORNIA! "the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld a state law which allows certain nonresidents, including some undocumented students, who attend and graduate from a California high school to pay in-state tuition at the state's public colleges and universities" (UC Newsroom). This is not financial aid in any form! We are still financially responsible for tuition, books, rent, food, transportation, you haters out there need to open up your eyes and realize that our life is already difficult enough. There is nothing worse than denying someone an education, well there are worst things - but of all the things you can fight, why are you trying to deny an education when you can give it?! Like I mentioned in the last post, we are competing in the same pool, if we are academically superior to other students (documented or not) why should we be denied the opportunity to study? It's a fair competition!

Here is the Court's decision in full.

Life is ultimately fair.

MUCH LOVE!!!

being undocumented isn't expensive or painful enough

Just found an article on this, the Supreme Court is making a decision today on whether undocumented students should pay a higher tuition. I tried looking for the decision but don't see it anywhere, if anyone finds out about it please post it, if not I will be posting later this week on the decision the Court came to.

In my attempt to find out what the Supreme Court decided on, I found this very interesting site: Arguments for making undocumented immigrants pay out-of-state tuition. This is making my head spin. The admissions board doesn't give an undocumented student any benefit for being undocumented. The undocumented student is competing for admission just like all the other students. There is no favor being given to us by being allowed to pay in-state-tuition, simply a greater pressure because if given admission to a university you find yourself in a tight place for making that tuition. I've read so many articles on undocumented students who get admitted to an awesome school, and they are unable to complete their education because they can't afford to even pay that tuition. This makes absolutely no sense! If we can't work how are we to make ends meet for tuition?! It's not to say we don't make it happen when the world is against us, we do and that makes us so much stronger. Those of us who have been lucky to have parents who can make the financial sacrifices to put us through school make it, but what of all those who can't even get through school?! People are so infuriating sometimes.

Allow me to remind myself to take a deep breath . . . and remind myself that despite all the ugly and hatred out there in the world some of us are making it and will be able to make a difference one day.

Thank you for following.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Steve Li

Steve Li's deportation is being delayed!

A Ying and a Yang

What threat does a Nursing student pose the national security? ICE claims to be focusing it's efforts on deporting people who are dangerous, since when are nurses dangerous? Read about Li, a 20 year old being deported to Peru, a country he can't even call his home, where there is no one for him to call family.

Li's situation really makes my heart sink. While I've been celebrating, hardly believing what is happening in my life, someone else in the same state I absolutely love, also can't believe what is happening in his life. I can't wait to have a voice and have the opportunity to have an effect on the unfair ways immigration throws people out of their home.
___________________________________________________________
On a personal note, the packet for my adjustment of status will be filed this Monday. I am going to make so much of this life, I will make a conscious effort to make no waste of opportunities. This entire wait will be worth a million lifetimes, there is no greater gift in life than the opportunity I've been given. I feel like I've lived life with my feet on two different sides of so many aspects of life. It's like I've been watching my life through a glass window this entire time, I'm like that kid who's been promised a puppy her entire life and she's finally getting it. I am getting the most precious puppy ever!!

Hope my readers are well, thanks for reading.

MUCH LOVE!!!

breaking the suspense

Here it is, I am getting my GREEN CARD(<- I wish I could control the color)!

This last week has been the most exciting week in about six years. Been running around getting passport photos, getting medically evaluated (to make sure I'm not bringing any crazy diseases into a country I've been living in for 16 years), and going to the attorney's office. This coming week is going to be about the same most likely, but not as hectic hopefully.

It still feels very unreal, I don't think it's going to sink in until I am holding that little green card in my hand, maybe even then it won't feel real just yet. The day I am holding a CA government issued ID, I think that'll be the day I flip for real. Makes my head float just thinking about it. I can't even put into words how happy I am, it is too much happiness for one person. For this reason I am so grateful that I have so many people I can share this joy with otherwise I don't think I could survive this . . . just like I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for you.

Now I can seriously ask what I'm supposed to be doing to get into Grad school, get a job, EXIST! This is what Pinocchio must've felt like when he turned into a real boy . . .

Again thank you to all who have been with me and continue to be in my life.

MUCH LOVE!!!

the winds are changing

I must say my head is spinning right now, I'm feeling like I did the day I found out I was going to a real University. Life has always given me so much more than I imagined possible and am very confident about the events to follow.

Life is the one thing you don't quit. Never ever give up on what you know you deserve.

More news to come! I'm seeing my attorney this afternoon :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

today can be the most amazing day of your life

Today marks a day for new beginnings, a new world, new heights, no limits.

I received a document from the Department of Homeland Security, stating that "the DHS joins the respondent's [mine] motion to reopen proceedings and terminate without prejudice so that the respondent can pursue an adjustment of status application before the DHS, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Accordingly, the motion to reopen is granted and these proceedings are terminated without prejudice."

This means proceedings for status adjustment can be initiated now, remember I've already filled out all the necessary paperwork. Now what remains is paying the immigration fees to file all the paperwork, most importantly getting in touch with my attorney which should be happening soon. I've just faxed the paperwork to her office. Hopefully I'll hear from her this week, and we shall see what happens!!

My loved ones, this bird will be set free very soon. World watch out.

MUCH LOVE!!!!!!

who is representing your state?

There has been so much ridiculous news lately, I'm so behind on my news I apologize. Sometimes I can't believe it's actually real though, I have to double check to make sure I'm not on The Onion.

Apparently this last Tuesday, Oct 19, Georgia Lawmaker expressed his wish to shoot to kill immigrants crossing the border. First off, how do people this crazy get the power to make laws? And second, shouldn't there be a limit to insanity in decision-making positions? Yates actually compares Mexican immigrants crossing the border to the Nazi army . . . this guy really needs to get checked into a home.

Another article I caught earlier this week, Florida has drafted it's version of Arizona's SB 1070. As you will notice, this was actually last Wednesday, Oct 20. I couldn't believe what I was reading, if this law gets passed there is no dignity or humanity left in government officials.

This atmosphere conservatives have created makes me legitimately afraid for those living in these states and worse the thought of all the other crazy people out there who agree with these lawmakers. It feels so barbaric. I am so blessed to be living in California and I hope sentiments like that never become the popular stance of this gorgeous state.

Another article I bookmarked to share with you is about ICE policies, from Tuesday Oct 19. Apparently in Houston, immigration judges have been dismissing deportation cases. What does it mean to 'dismiss a case'? It means it gets put aside. The cases they've been putting to the side are of people who have no criminal records, as the Obama administration has been focusing on deporting people with criminal records. What does this mean for those people with deportation cases who have no criminal records and have been in the U.S. for more than two years? No decision is actually made on their case, so if they happen to get arrested, they have nothing to keep them in this country. Usually (as I understand it)if you have an ongoing process with immigration that has yet to be ruled on, you are 'safe'. You do not get deported or reprimanded, since you are in process. So really this is a really shitty thing to do to someone, to just throw their case aside and decide to make a decision on it later because it leaves the person in limbo. They can't truly make anything of themselves if they want to, and trust me I know exactly what this is like.

It's one of the most unfair things people have lived through, it's not starvation or slavery. Although if you think about it, people are pushed into a form of slavery because their access to income is reduced to such a limited peep-hole. Gardener, housekeeper, nanny, lettuce picker, janitor . . . all of who are subdued to inhumane conditions that no one in this place can speak up against. I really have gotten the sweeter end of the stick, I've just had to live like a child my entire life, and I am completely aware of how lucky I am and am thankful for it every day.

I'd love to hear what you think of these current events.

Again, I apologize for my spacey ways, but life is actually really good these days. I am completely focused on life and there is nothing better I could be doing. The day I get the key to freedom I will be more than ready. I haven't been in a healthier state of mind and body in a very long time.

Hope my readers are all in good health (mind and body).
Thanks for following.

MUCH LOVE!!!

you're not wanted SB1070

It's not just the victims of SB 1070 who dislike this law, all those who understand the effects of this law are doing their best to bring SB 1070 where it belongs. Not here. This last Friday, October 8, Judge Bolton ruled for another lawsuit against SB 1070 to move forward.

International action against SB1070

Yesterday, we saw several Latin American countries come together to stand against SB1070. I'm honestly surprised no action from these Latin American countries was taken earlier . . . what's worse is that we're not seeing more of the world taking a stand against SB1070. Just about every part of the world has immigrants affected by this, essentially because as we all know this law is ultimately only affecting Hispanics. There shouldn't be second thoughts about this.

Another thing that boggles my mind, is why does a country have to file a suit against a STATE in it's own country to the UN?! Maybe this is extremist but the Federal government should've just arrested Brewer and immediately disregarded SB1070. It is clearly against her jurisdiction to make decisions like that.

And why is it taking so long to take action against this clearly preposterous 'law'? It's so infuriating.

Thanks for following :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

this is my life

My attempt in this post is not to complain, but to simply expose the facts of my life.

I want so bad for my life to change soon, so soon. I started tutoring, it wasn't what I expected it would be. I'm putting in less hours, I talked the boss into paying me more, still the bare minimum for the private-multiple-subject tutoring/babysitting/therapy I'm doing.

My family has never been extremely well-off. Since living here, my dad has always been the sole financial provider and he has given us a comfortable yet limited life, covering the necessities and small luxuries here and there. I am definitely spoiled, but the money is never enough, this makes me sound so materialistic, I swear to you I'm not. Since moving to the U.S. I had to learn to not ask for everything I wanted/saw, not so easy as a child who grew up an only child for nine years. I have learned the difference between necessity and want, and I am constantly keeping myself in check. Being 24 is presenting itself to be quite the challenge given my circumstance. This is simply another challenge I will conquer, it's difficult, like all challenges in life. Well, like life.

I'm just putting it out there, sharing something about my life. I know I'm not the only one worrying about money right now. Let me just say that if I didn't have my parents I have no idea where or who I would be. I am so grateful they are who they are, have made me who I am and have given me this life.

May the good fortune that lies ahead be near. Thanks for following.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Call Day

It's been almost two months since the great news from the attorney, I've been calling her office every two weeks since then. Obviously not having any personal experience with the process I expected that because the decision came from the top dog, the final paperwork would come through within the month. I'd be going to her office, handing a check over and this would finally be done, I could move on to my "real" life.

These last two months have been the most fun I've had in a long time. At the same time though I can't stop thinking about getting the call from the attorney. I keep reminding myself I'm in no rush for things to get worked out, but my mind wants one thing and one thing only, peace. I'm not talking about world peace, I'm talking about inner peace, peace of mind. I can keep my composure for so long you know, but I'm still holding on and will keep holding on 'til the end. I just hope my mind let's me, makes my heart race just thinking about this whole thing finally being solved.

Why am I bringing this up? Today was call day.

We are still waiting to hear from the board of appeals, either the attorney's office or I will receive paperwork from them. When that happens we'll get in touch with each other. It could take up to 6 months . . . I will stop calling the office every two weeks. It's probably dangerous to set a deadline, not really a deadline, more like a perimeter . . . end of 2010.

Just live life to the fullest in the meantime, make the best with what I've got. Like I've been doing so far.

This helps, writing. Thanks for following, may you and your loved ones be safe and happy.

MUCH LOVE!!!

my goal here

I want to make my purpose known here, I thought I'd made it clear what I was here (this blog) for. I am not here to push a liberal-biased agenda. I am here to expose MY LIFE.

I realize that I post a lot of articles with a liberal voice. Let me assure you that if the solution to the circumstances of my life were a true concern to conservatives, the articles being posted here would be of a conservative nature. I am not here to push a political agenda, my presence in this country just happens to be a political issue, and liberals just happen to care and want a solution for all those in my place.

From the bottom of my heart I appreciate all those who continue to follow me and truly care.

MUCH LOVE!!!

You don't care, until it happens to you

The title to this post explains the reason why Conservatives are as they are, stubborn close-minded people. They've gone their entire lives with all the opportunities they could ever want or need, and assume that the rest of the world is lazy and incompetent for not being as well off intellectually, economically or socially as they are.

Remember how Harry Reid promised he will get the DREAM Act on the Senate floor? Well the gracious John McCain has promised he will do everything to Block the DREAM Act. Have I grown up misled to believe that the United States wants the best of the best (of people) in the world? How is allowing "crime-free", positive contributing members of society the opportunity to become part of this great nation a problem? The DREAM Act will require that individuals have arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16, have a clean criminal record, and commit at least two years to the military or college . . . How is this a problem?

Like every opportunity to attain (usually you'd see the word "legalization" here, but I refuse to use that word as there is no such thing as an "illegal" human being) permission to live in the U.S., there are many conditions. I believe that in addition to those 3 already being talked about, there will be a certain cut off date. That's really the only issue I can see Conservatives having a problem with. Allowing anyone who gets here before they turn 16 to fall under the DREAM Act and then we'll have a flood of people coming to the U.S. with their kids to have them become citizens.

Seriously though, what's the problem with permitting non-criminals who go to college or the military to have the opportunity to take advantage of the endless possibilities of life here in the U.S.? If anyone out there can help me understand the mind of the conservative, I'd love to hear it.

On the other side of McCain's plan, we have the full support of the President of the United States, President Obama with the DREAM Act.

I just want to express to everyone I can reach, which probably isn't the people that truly need to be reading this, there needs to be a solution to the issue at hand. The issue of having 15million (most likely more than that)eager individuals to of being set free and allowed to become those aeronautic engineers, doctors, pediatrics, cancer researchers, teacher, nutritionists and personal trainers to reach their full potential. A major waste of talent is happening right as I type. We (U.S.) are know to be a wasteful people . . . suppose it isn't out of character, but to have change it only takes one step. I have faith that the first steps that have been taken will take us where we need to go, and be well on our way to stop being so wasteful.

Thanks so much for reading, I hope all the best to you and those around you.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Lady Gaga is my Idol

I was reading an article about Lady Gaga and the escorts she took with her to the VMAs (this is relevant I promise), I love her for being a performance artist, her videos, music and her position on Gay Rights. I had no idea she had made her position on "illegal" immigration known though, as if I didn't have enough reasons to love her! I can tell you the reason I missed out on this was because I was busy camping (one of my many passions).

So Lady Gaga was one of the few pop artists that did not cancel her tours in Arizona, with the intention of making her position on immigration that much more pronounced. Lady Gaga denounced SB 1070 at her concert. Her words certainly made my heart skip . . . I certainly love and admire you Lady Gaga.

Thanks for reading.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Vulnerability to Abuse

I've changed my homepage to COLORLINES, it's the only way I can keep up with relevant and important things going on without having to watch the news.

Some may have heard about this, I'm not sure if this was reported on in the English news, but I definitely saw it on the Spanish news. A Guatemalan man was shot dead on scene by a cop in Westlake. Apparently this cop, Hernandez, has a history of abusing his power and taking advantage of the position undocumented immigrants are in. Can we stop to ponder how many abuses by authority go unaccounted for because undocumented immigrants feel like (and believe) that they have no right to complain?

To white people I look Mexican (or Hispanic but everyone assumes Mexican), and to Hispanic people I look white. It's an interesting place to be because I am so aware of the way I could be treated if I was shorter, or darker or had an accent. I know that I have an advantage, and when I personally see unfair treatment happening I stand up against it. I used to hold back because like those people who have been taken advantage of and have not spoken up, I thought I'd get in trouble if I stood up for myself or others. Human rights are a universal right, no matter whether you're "legal" or not, a human is a human and everyone deserves and should be treated with respect no matter where they are.

If you have a voice, use it.

MUCH LOVE!!

DREAM Act

I am still here, I apologize for being exceptionally selfish, it's been more than a month.

That's one thing about being the person that I am, I am not just an undocumented immigrant, I am a person who has problems like everyone else. Money, emotions, friends, relationships, etc. Being that I am what I am adds a layer to being a complex human being, adds extra social problems on top of the ones everyone deals with on a daily basis. Point is, my life doesn't just revolve around being undocumented, like I've said before I want to be a contributing member of this society when I am given the green light, which means I make my life as little about the obstacles in my life and focus on how I can make the best with what I have (really it's what everyone should do because everyone always has obstacles keeping them from their ultimate goals).

How perfect that promised myself to come back today, I started my research with colorlines.com, and check out this article on the DREAM Act I found. So let's hope Harry Reid does intend on bringing the DREAM Act to the floor and acts on it.

I'll tell you it's been a month if not a little over a month since I heard that wonderful news from my hero, and have yet to hear from her. I called her two weeks ago and haven't heard back from her, so I am bugging her again tomorrow. Chances are she doesn't have anything for us to go from, I trust that she wouldn't have news and not contact me.

I hope you and all those around you are well and healthy.

I know life has always had something amazing in store for me, it always gives me small dosages of awesomeness, and hopefully sooner than later I will get the ultimate dose of goodness.

MUCH LOVE!! :)

the craziness in AZ

Remember I told you things were going to get crazy in Arizona? Well apparently a Mexican criminal organization put out a bounty for Arpaio's head, $100 million. Here's the article, it's surprising that was one of the few places reporting on this, for some reason I couldn't find articles off the main news fountains.

haha you can join the Mexican cartel for a thousand buckos, what a deal! Anyway, this article doesn't say it, but the FBI has gotten involved in the situation to make sure Arpaio doesn't die for being an evil hateful man. So that's that.

Many people have been deported, I haven't really sat at the TV to follow the story, but I'm sure it's not pretty out there, all the luck to those who have remained in Arizona.

MUCH LOVE!!

Benchmark

Let this day be marked as a special day in my life.

I had missed my attorney's call, confused by the unknown number I listened to my message, it was the attorney asking me to call her back.

When we get on the phone, she says, "Maria, how're you? Are you sitting down? I have some good news and some bad news for you, which would you like to hear first?". Without hesitation I said the bad news. So she says, "I just got off the phone with the Chief of Immigration." I sit at my desk waiting for her to go on, silence, I say, "is that it?" She assures me it is, "And now to the good news, the Chief has approved our request" at which point I immediately start shaking (still am shaking now two hours later) and laughing and crying, and I manage to say, "that's great" (barely audible). She continues to tell me that the chief was very impressed with the letter we had submitted, one I had written up outlining my accomplishments while living here in the U.S. She assured him she had nothing to do with it and it was all me. This entire time I'm trying not to wail. She also tells me that she wants me to be a lawyer with her . . . sigh of relief, total bliss . . . still fighting the wailing. I keep thanking her, and she tells me not to celebrate quite yet, "let's wait until we get that letter from him (the Chief)" and then we can start celebrating. She tells me to tell my parents to start getting the money together and I tell her "we already have it", and she goes, "well then let's just wait for that letter because as soon as we get it, we will need the money to start processing for the green card." THE GREEN CARD!!!!!

There is nothing absolutely nothing I've wanted more, nothing more important in my life, I've wanted more than this. It is finally going to happen. Within the next couple months, the world will not see what's coming. My life will finally be in my hands. A job! A real person!

Things are not changing quite yet, but we are moving closer to the end of this journey. The last time I cried out of joy this intensely was when I found out I wasn't going to have to go to community college and would indeed be going to a real university, UCSB.

Life I love you and everything you've given me so far, the sour and the sweet.

MUCH LOVE!!!

Multifaceted Individuals

The first image that comes to mind when 'undocumented immigrant' is mentioned is the day laborer, nanny, housekeeper, gardener, janitor, bus boy, farmer, what else comes to mind? I could come up with a really long list for what conservatives think of, but it is unnecessary and a waste of time because they are all stereotypes.

Undocumented immigrants are people too, aspiring artists, writers, musicians, scholars, lawyers, teachers . . . everything that every American has ever wanted to be, firefighter, police officer. There are many undocumented immigrants who have gone into the armed forces despite their questionable residency. I must admit I once considered going into the armed forces myself, but it would have been for one reason only and would not have been the right reason to make such a huge commitment to a country that denies my existence.

Last week a friend of mine invited me to an art gallery, told me it showcased immigrant artists, nothing more had to be said. Here is some of the stuff I saw (you can click on each image while holding the 'Ctrl key' to enlarge it in a different window to better appreciate it).



This one has to be one of my favorites, it can't express more clearly the situation you find yourself in when you finally manage to graduate from college.








This one cracks me up, the poster the people are holding reads: "We are here and are not leaving! And if you throw us out, we'll be back!" It's funny because it's so true, in general, the human race are a determined bunch and will not give up the things we want. And the unique thing about Latinos, we don't hold back the truth, ever, we say it like it is. And if you take something we want from us we will fight for it, even if it means our lives and thousands of people have died trying to come back to the land of "opportunity" and the "land of the free".





This again couldn't express more clearly how I've felt for a very long time, partially invisible. I admire artists because I don't think I could physically illustrate how I feel, I think I'm better off as a writer (or a speaker perhaps one day).










There were some poems the artists made which I identified with completely, for the most part:



It's about living life a day at a time, enjoying every minute of it and that's how you should life your life regardless, you don't have to be an undocumented immigrant.




This is a dreamer I personally admire, I don't regret being a bit of a coward and sitting back while others put themselves on the line but everyone has different priorities. I know the circumstances I and my family has faced and am not willing to sacrifice myself for others, selfish but it is what it is.













Seeing these poems is so empowering, knowing that there really are people out there going through what I've gone through.










Please check out the post about what's going on in Arizona, and last night's post as well. Lost of interesting stuff is happening out there.

MUCH LOVE!!!

SB 1070 goes into effect

Gary Tuchman went to work in grape fields in Delano California. This farm has been open since 1985, no Americans have expressed any interest in working in the fields.

Right now there are many protests going on around Arizona, particularly at Sheriff Arpaio's office. Many arrests have happened today as rallies came together and those who were willing to be arrested were certainly arrested - those brave brave people. I personally could never do that to my parents or my life.

We're seeing protests in New York, representing both sides of this debate, although the bigger numbers are coming from those opposing SB 1070, that woman who talks on the video just looks crazy because she says that the majority of the legal voters are behind SB 1070 . . . so where are they?

It's terrible that people are failing to see that SB 1070 was a violation of human rights, it has nothing to do with being American or not. Amnesty International has a clearly written article on this, A Small Victory for Arizonans, A Bigger Victory for Human Rights. Like always people fail to see what's wrong with what they're doing because they are choosing to do it, but if someone else acts the way they do, they go and bomb them.

Arpaio is so far up his ass, with that last name he's straight-up denying that his ancestors were immigrants too. No one called his ancestors "illegal aliens", please, please, please for those of you who read me, change the language you use to refer to people who aren't in the U.S. with government permission, we are undocumented immigrants, not extraterrestrials. Here's a link to a video from yesterday before the changes to SB 1070 were decided on, this old man is so scary, he's the kind of people who haunted my dreams when I was a little girl.

I think that's enough for now, I will keep my eyes and ears out for more developments on this.

I am so lucky my parents chose to live in California.

MUCH LOVE!!!

History is Happening

Tomorrow or soon to be today Thursday July 29, SB 1070 the anit-immigrant law from Arizona is going into effect. It is going to be a crazy day.

Today has already been an eventful day as changes were made to this law at the very last minute. Judge Bolton blocked the most controversial parts of SB 1070.

What're the changes that have been made?
Without a court order, police will not be allowed to randomly stop people to ask for papers to prove their status in the state - so racial profiling no longer allowed . . . technically
Day laborers are allowed to seek day jobs on the street
People are not allowed to stop and pick up day laborers - so yes this is confusing, a person seeking laborers is not allowed to transport the day laborers and the laborer is not allowed to be transported . . . so I supposed it's ok as long as the day laborer walks to the location of labor.
It will be illegal to transport anyone or in any way shelter undocumented immigrants to shelter them in the state of AZ - so if you're undocumented, stay out of AZ unless you already live there, cops aren't allowed to ask you for your papers unless they have a court order.


What will see happen first thing this Thursday July 29th? Raids, yes Sheriff Arpaio is preparing himself for the sun to come up and round up undocumented immigrants.

For once since the immigration debate has been this heated, Mexican embassies are promising to take care of their own, to make sure to look after the civil rights of their citizens who are residents of Arizona.

When daylight hits tomorrow I will be stuck to the news to see what's happening and giver you as much as I can. This next week is going to be crazy.


MUCH LOVE!!!

Making a Change

Jorge Ramos is a Mexican born naturalized American news anchor who has been with Noticiero Univision for 21 years. He has won eight Emmy's and is a well respected journalist among English speaking networks like CNN, ABC, and CBS. This man is a man that can cause change and realizes that and for that reason wrote WHEN SPEAKING OF IMMIGRANTS, WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE about what we need to do to set ourselves up for a better outcome in immigration reform.

We cannot see change in the world from one day to the next without making small changes one day at a time. It all starts with one person, someone posting an article, their network of friends read it and those people post it and so on. Even as simple as talking about it is enough to start the ball rolling.

A change as simple as the language we use can help transform the way people perceive a certain group of people. What is the most common way the media refers to undocumented immigrants? "illegal aliens"

Besides entering into the U.S. without government approval, what about these people is illegal? Their existence? Their way of life? Picking lettuce is illegal? Cleaning your house and feeding your children is illegal?

And what makes these people alien? Alien to me means extraterrestrial . . . last I checked all these people come from places around planet earth.

For those who seriously want to see a change need to change their vocabulary so that those who are intolerant of undocumented immigration start to perceive undocumented immigrants as people and not aliens.

One thing people forget about is why there are so many undocumented immigrants. Money, money and money, not the only factor but the number one factor. If you don't have money for an attorney, filing fees, immigration fees, you have your hands tied.

What other factors affect the high volume of people in the U.S. that are undocumented?
- Lack of network, not knowing who to go to if they don't have friends who have been through the status adjustment process.
- Language is huge factor, it limits the resources they have available to them which can also limit the quality of service they can get from certain attorneys.




On a separate note, no update from the attorney. There will be no mention of it until I actually hear from the attorney, no point in posting everyday telling you I have no news.

May life be brewing some goodies for me :)

MUCH LOVE!!!

Happenings in Utah

This lovely information was passed on to me by my very close friend, thank you :)

Utah residents collected private information of 1,300 Latino-origin individuals and sent it to ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) requesting that all those people listed be deported immediately. The letter attached to the list of names stated that they had sent this list of names to the Customs and Immigration Office in Salt Lake City, but as they have seen no action they are sending this information to ICE. This anonymous group wants action as they are tired of seeing "[these illegal immigrants] in [their] neighborhoods, driving [their] streets, working in [their] stores, attending [their] schools and entering [their] public welfare buildings." Some people weren't taught to share.

The truth is a lot of the people on the list are actually citizens.

It's so amusing to me how afraid some people are of certain groups of people, of course I am referring to those who collected all those names. These are probably the people who think Mexicans have come back to this part of the U.S. to take back what used to be ours. Who holds on to things like that? Who has the time to think about that?! Some people seriously need more things to fill up their time.

MUCH LOVE!!!

What supporters are doing right now

Anyone watch 'The Colbert Report'? I don't usually, but a close friend of mine insisted I watch a particular episode. It aired July 8, 2010, Colbert had Arturo Rodriguez, the president of the United Farm Workers of America as the special guest. Woo I actually found it, Full Episode - July 8, 2010! A great episode in general, I'm glad I watched it especially because of the discussion on immigration.

Yes finally all those against "illegal" immigration who swear on their lives undocumented immigrants are taking the jobs of Americans are getting the chance to take their jobs back! Mr. Rodriguez said, "Americans do not want to work in the fields . . . the conditions are horrid", weather conditions are awful, there are no desks for you to sit at, you get paid ridiculously low for literally breaking your back picking the veggies that will be served at fancy restaurants for health conscious Americans.

How do Americans get their jobs back? Mr. Rodriguez started the Take Our Jobs Campaign, inviting American citizens to come out and work in agriculture picking crops, now you can pick your salad and have it too!

How many Americans have signed up for this? All of three! Make it four since Colbert added himself to that list. What do you have to say for yourself you hateful Americans? I thought undocumented immigrants were taking your jobs . . . maybe this campaign just hasn't had enough mainstream publicity . . . please pass this site around to anyone who won't stop running their mouth about undocumented immigrants and encourage them to take their job back.

If only there was organizations representing all those undocumented people who are nannies, gardeners, housekeepers, construction workers, kitchen workers . . .what else is there? Maybe those jobs can be taken back too.

You know what else I've been doing, telepathically talking to my attorney, telling her to call me and give me some good news :X I'll let you in on the loop when I have something good or not, to share.

May life be fair to me sooner rather than later.

MUCH LOVE!!

Patience is a Virtue

I apologize for leaving you hanging like this. I actually had a pretty involved day yesterday and totally forgot to call the attorney, by the time I realized this, it was definitely past business hours.

First thing I did this morning, called the attorney. I really was expecting to find something out, but same story, the receptionist doesn't know anything (which isn't such a bad thing). So I left a message for the attorney to call if there is an update. Therefore I may not hear from her in a while or she may call me to tell me that she's been trying to work her way into the head honcho's schedule which would be quite nice to hear. Or maybe even has already set an appointment with him (wishful desperate thinking)!

In the meantime I've got plenty to keep me busy.

(In the most unselfish way) May life bring me what I deserve, sooner rather than later :)

MUCH LOVE!!

Update

I should probably wait until I have concrete news but I haven't said much lately on the matter. A month later I finally get the go-ahead from the parents to bug the attorney, yay! I've been anxious since the first week to be completely honest, but I realize this isn't about filing paperwork. It's about working into a powerful person's schedule, and that is exactly what my attorney is attempting to do.

So I will give it 'til the afternoon tomorrow and call the office to see what is up. Hopefully I'll have something good to report, if not I will not let it crush me because it's not the end of the world.

On a separate note, celebrations for my brother's, boyfriend's and my birthday have passed they were all very successful. Cheers to another year of this gift called life. May we all have health and happiness.

MUCH LOVE!

AZ getting it's medicine . . . hopefully

Government is finally responding to Arizona's craziness, if you haven't heard or read about it, check out this article:

Feds Sue Arizona Over SB1070

We are finally seeing government taking a blatant stand against this outrageous law Arizona is due to put into effect by the end of this July. The hearing for this lawsuit is for July 22nd . . . so I suppose when the Supreme Court turns down Arizona SB1070 will immediately be stopped and will not be able to go into effect the very next week?

It's crazy that states already have ways of doing exactly what SB1070 wants to do, so if Arizona has had this arrangement with ICE why are they wanting to pass a law? Suppose they don't get enough resources and do have their hands tied as to how crazy they can get with punishing "illegal" immigrants.

It's no surprise though, about 287g, I just finally know what allows for so many raids throughout Los Angeles which keeps my mom on edge all the time. She's always telling me there was a raid here and there, but luckily because of where we live, it would be a waste for ICE to come over here and try to round up a couple of undocumented immigrants. Nice to know the name of this thing that allows for so many people to be picked up randomly and ripped from the little promise they have to a better life.

Let's hope government does what it's supposed to do and stops this obnoxious law from going into effect.

I would love to hear what you have to say on the matter, even if you wish the law gets passed - give me a logical reason for why it should be passed don't go on crazy talk.

MUCH LOVE!!

Presidential Address on Immigration

Finally something in English discussing immigration! No need for translations.

Obama on Comprehensive Reform 2010

I gotta say I was very pleased with everything the President said.

I love that that he was very realistic about the causes of immigration, people come here to improve their own lives as well as that of their family. Immigrant labor has helped in the success of many businesses as well as the lives of individuals. He recognizes that the immigration system is broken.

He recognizes that much of the reason for so many undocumented immigrants is because of the high cost of processing and attorney fees. Something that I've never heard being stated as a reason for so many undocumented immigrants.

One thing that irks me to the core is that government (including the Chief of Justice) insists on criminalizing undocumented immigrants. He says that in order for people to become "right with the law" undocumented or as he refers to us, "illegal immigrants" will be required to "admit they have broken the law, pay taxes and learn English". Nothing wrong with paying taxes and learning English, you can't really be an integral member of American society without being able to communicate or giving back to the state and nation with your money.

It just KILLS me that government insists on calling me a criminal, a law breaker . . . they just make it seem like we woke up one day and said, "I'm going to break the law now, here I go crossing the U.S. border, breaking the law, yay!" UGH . . . how is fighting for a better life a crime? I suppose I can't rationalize this as I am the one being called the lawbreaker and I REFUSE to be called a lawbreaker. Attorneys will say, no, you didn't break the law, your parents did. And to that I say, Excuse me, but my parents are not criminals, providing a better life is not a crime! It's like I was saying earlier about my mom, why is she being punished for being a good mother? :-/

I am not saying there shouldn't be laws regulating the coming and going of people, but the government is the one who dropped the ball on this. Why should the people be punished for it? And by 'the people' I mean undocumented immigrants. This is something I was discussing with my parents as I was reading the article about Obama's address.

The majority of the people who come to the U.S. by crossing the border by land can't afford to get a passport, some may not even know they need a passport let alone a visa - it may seem ridiculous to us but the majority of people coming to work in the farmlands of the U.S. are people from rural areas of Mexico. Hunger and poverty doesn't hold off until your visa is approved so you can go make better money in the U.S.

That's another thing, Obama said he hopes to make businesses, government and individuals accountable to the immigration system. So there will be ways for businesses (basically anyone employing people) to verify whether the documents their employees are using legitimate documentation. So it's supposed to become more difficult for people to use stolen identities, and eventually discourage people from coming into the U.S. to find jobs and better lives. Newsflash, businesses have been able to verify identities for a while now and many do not do it because they know they can pay these people less.

Think about it though, there are so many restaurants, homes that have undocumented immigrants working in the background, have been paying people far below minimum wage, this accountability is also supposed to prevent worker abuse which is very prevalent today in unchecked businesses etc. Realize that it's supposed to be difficult today for people to cross the border, find a job etc, and yet, people have found a way. It's human nature, we always find a way. So good luck with that Obama.

One of my favorite parts of Obama's speech is when he draws a comparison between the Jewish immigrants and the immigrants of today. I think it really brings the point home because the Jewish population is so influential in the U.S. and many are conservative. What I have to say to conservative Jews? Stop being hypocrites! What if you were made to get in line to get your residency rather than living the wonderful life you have achieved by coming here?

Latin America may not be going through a blatant persecution, but large industries are sucking the people dry. THIS is why I don't think Obama's plan to make it harder for people to find jobs etc, will discourage people from coming the U.S. Life in Latin America (if you are not ridiculously wealthy) is nothing but suffering, so even suffering in the U.S. is a better life by comparison.

All-in-all a great message, gives people a lot to think about.

I'd love to hear what you have to say about his speech :)

MUCH LOVE!!

who's counting time?

It's been three weeks but who's counting?

Haven't heard from the attorney. Damn you impatience and anxiety!! I understand that what she's trying to do requires time, she's trying to get an appointment with the head honcho . . . I still can't help but feel anxious.

Remember that I've never been this close, so I'm bound to get anxiety and restlessness from this.

Good news is I've found another passion, food! Most of you who know me know I love to eat. I also love to exercise whether it's at the gym or beach volleyball. So now I'm considering becoming a Registered Dietician and pair that with my trainer certification. How badass is that? I think it sounds pretty awesome. So that's what I've been occupying my time with lately. I'm taking a nutrition class which I thought was going to be a joke of a class (reason why I'm taking it in the summer), but I'm actually getting lots of priceless knowledge that is bound to change my life.

I remain hopeful but sometimes it's a challenge, usually when I find myself with way too much time on my hands. Other times it just takes over and no matter what I have at hand I can't focus on anything else but on 'what I don't have' or 'could have'. Regardless of where my mind wanders the torture fest ends with a recognition of what I do have. And that is a life many in my place only dream of (or possibly couldn't even dream of), a wonderful family (yes friends included), health and endless limited opportunities (yes endless limited opportunities it's not a typo, it's what it is).

That's where things stand, may everything work out.

I encourage you to share my blog with your friends, just keep my location and identity to yourself please (until the time is right, and I will tell you when that is, but I am sure you will know).

MUCH LOVE!!

food for thought

I'm not trying to call Jan Brewer a Nazi, I just want to make you think. History exists for a reason and it's not to ignore it. It exists for us to look back and reflect on the things humanity has gone wrong with and try to avoid them, or change the way we do things to prevent the terrible things that have happened from repeating.
just click on the image to enlarge

crazy bats fly too

Time for a news update on immigration :)

Gobernadora de Arizona acusa indocumentados de servir de "mulas" narcotráfico. Arizona Governor Acuses Undocumented Immigrants for Acting as Drug Mules.

From the title alone I'm already thinking, what a crazy bat, but lets see what this article says.

June 27, 2010, Washington - Arizona governor, Jan Brewer, asserted today that the majority of undocumented immigrants are used as "mules" by drug dealers to bring drugs into the U.S., fueling the fire around the debate of illegal immigration.

"I believe that under the circumstances we find ourselves under today, the majority of illegal intruders living in Arizona are being directed and controlled by drug cartels who are introducing drugs into the area", assured Brewer. She added that although many undocumented immigrants come to the U.S. in search of work, drug dealers pressure them to serve as "mules" or dealers. Brewer did not present any official data that would confirm her statement, but insisted that undocumented immigrants "are harassed (by drug dealers) until they give into their requests.

T.J.Bonner, president of the union representing Border Patrol agents, contradicted the argument made by Brewer by pointing out that drug smuggling brings about greater consequences than illegally crossing into the U.S., and the number of undocumented immigrants looking for work willing to take such great risks are quite small.

The statements made by Brewer, enthusiastically rejected by pro-immigration groups, come at a time when Barack Obama's government is due to present, as soon as next week, a lawsuit challenging bill SB1070, which criminalizes illegal presence in Arizona. Even though the Department of Justice has insisted these last few weeks that they continue to "review" this controversial law, Obama's government has assured the press that the lawsuit against SB1070 is imminent.

SB1070 is due to go into effect this July 29th, unless stopped by a federal judge. Brewer is the subject of 3 out of 5 lawsuits presented by civic groups, who argue that SB1070 will give way to discrimination against Hispanic immigrants. This law will allow police to question and verify a person's legal status after detaining them for a violation.

The U.S. government agrees with civic groups across the nation that the duty to implement immigration laws falls in the hands of the Federal government, and that the immigration problems will not be solved with laws like SB1070. Brewer met with Barack Obama June 3rd, made it clear she is not afraid of the lawsuits and has reiterated the conservative's position that safety on the border must be enforced before initializing any dialogue on immigration reform. Meanwhile, Arizona state authorities prepare for the legal battle to commence upon the effect of SB1070. They have accumulated $123,000 in private donations to defend the law with private attorneys, according the Brewer's office.

On June 28th, top government officials will be traveling to Phoenix , capital of Arizona, to analyze the details of the deployment of 1,200 soldiers from the National Guard to the southern border and disbursement of an additional $500 million to fortify surveillance in the area.

It's mind blowing to me when I hear allegations like these, "the majority of illegal immigrants are drug mules", "illegal immigrants are only here to steal our jobs", THE NERVE!!! I suppose we all fall to completely false statements when we are blinded by anger towards a certain social groups.

Being who I am based on the circumstances of my life, my mental eyes have been opened so wide I am capable of seeing both sides of issues for the most part. But how can people straight up say crazy things like that when the reality clearly disproves it . . . I think the worse part of this is that the ignorant, uninformed public blindly believes and repeats the false statements and from this is where social stigmas are born. So sad, the state of society.

Share your thoughts, I'd love to hear them, you're so quiet out there.

MUCH LOVE!!!

the irony

Life always cracks me up, even if it makes me sad, it cracks me up in the end. I never would've imagined the one thing I've wanted most in my 23 years of life would be my greatest fear yet. I've been toyed with this adjustment of status, so I guess it's hard to believe it's actually going to happen . . . not happening yet, but this is the closest I've been and it's truly freaking me out.

I can't express in words how much I want to have this life of having a job, making real life changing decisions. Not that the decisions I've made up to now have been for naught. How can I explain this . . . I've always felt like a baby who's been set down in the middle of a candy store but can't get any of the candy, every other baby can. That's been my life up to now. Ok maybe the baby has had access to the tootsie rolls, but that's it, all the other babies have little walkers and access to tools that help them reach the fancier candy. And this tootsie roll baby could've had the fancier candy if only it'd had that special access card, hah literally.

Don't get me wrong tootsie roll baby isn't complaining because during its time in this candy store she's had the honor of rubbing elbows with some of the most amazing people. So she may have had no access to the candy, but there were a lot of networking opportunities, yes a networking tootsie roll eating baby. It's fine because she's had amazing experiences with these amazing people, no exaggerations.

So no regrets, but now this baby is about to get that members only access and is going a little crazy because she's unsure how she's going to handle this avalanche of candy. Real life changing decisions . . . I've never had to truly commit to anything but school. School has been the only place I've excelled because there were no limits and everyone around me encouraged me to go as far as I wanted. Once college rolled around things got rocky, but I made it, and then a giant halt slap in the face.

Yes the thought of opportunity scares me even though opportunity is all I've ever wanted. Quite the internal battle.

Luckily tootsie roll baby has the greatest people in her life, my family (yes that's my friends too, you know who you are) and with a support system like this there's no way I'm not going to be able to handle this avalanche of life. I'll just surf it :)

Thank you for reading and being in my life!

MUCH LOVE!!

what's happening in the world

click below:
Solicitud de mujer a Obama conduce a detención de inmigrante

for those of you who don't read Spanish allow me to translate:

"Woman's Plea to Obama leads to detention of immigrant (June 10, 2010)

NY- A woman wrote to president Obama pleading for his aid in solving her husband's immigration problem, she received an unexpected response: federal agents arrived at her house in New York and took her husband to jail.

Police officers told The New York Times that the letter Caroline Jamieson had sent to the President was wrongfully rerouted to the department of immigration that handles immigrant fugitives. After the paper investigated the case, the man, Herve Fonkou Takoulo, was released.

Takoulo is an engineer from Cameroon. Came to the U.S. legally, but was ordered to leave the country after a judge turned down his request for political asylum. Now he has a second process underway for residency based on his marriage in 2005 with Jamieson.

However, he still has an order of deportation."

There's that . . . how scary that must've been. SO he has an order of deportation on him . . . he's an engineer . . . I wonder if he's working. Where are you Herve Fonkou Takoulo!

High-five "body of people in charge" for being an asshole! Probably scared the guy near death, not nice.

I gotta say I'm supersuperdeeduperly glad my parents were smart enough to start this process when they did, when I turned 9 is when the paper trail began. And that the deportation and all that crap happened when it did because had it happened after I turned 21 I'd be done for.

Everything happens for a reason and as painful as this has been I wouldn't change one bit of it.

PS- please comment on posts, ask me questions, share this with people you know without releasing my identity please. Let's get some conversation going in the blog so more people can find out about it ;)

MUCH LOVE!

confusing and infuriating

I'll start by telling you I haven't heard from the attorney yet, my dad said to give her the week bc she's supposed to call us to take in a check which means she's set up the appointment with the Chief. Clearly this has not happened . . . I'm so anxious, I don't know what's worst, not knowing when and if I'll have my status adjusted or knowing I'm super close to getting my status adjusted.

That isn't the confusing or infuriating part. This one is:

While watching the news during halftime of a World Cup match, there was a preview of a story about this little girl from South America. She was visiting her mom for two months in South America. Her mom was deported and went back to her country, leaving her little girl in the care of her grandmother who's promised to take care of the girl until her mother can come back into the U.S.

It makes me sick to my stomach to think that that could've been me and at the same time it punctuates how insanely blessed I am, and I have never and will never take it for granted. There really is someone out there looking after me and my family.

The story was obviously to further push for there to be some change in immigration. The little girl was about 8, she was explaining what had happened to her mom, being deported and how she was left behind with her grandmother. She asked Obama that he do something so other kids don't have to be separated from their parents and so she doesn't have to be apart from her mom much longer. It's so fucking heart-breaking.

It got me thinking about how messed up the immigration system is, they say that they will only grant access to citizenship to people who are and will be upstanding contributing members of society.

Since I was given voluntary departure when I was a minor, and later deported still as a minor, I cannot be held accountable for my inability to follow through with the situation immigration forced upon me, that's how I'm a shoe-in in the adjustment of status. My mom on the other hand, also given a voluntary departure at the same time as myself has no "legitimate" explanation for why she didn't follow through with that.

How is not leaving her children - it's so infuriating - not leaving her children to make sure they go to school and make sure there is a stable family environment for a healthy development NOT A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH ON A VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE. How in the hell does the government not give a crap about that?!? This shows responsible character! How else are children supposed to grow up to be positive members of society?!?!?!? Had my mom left when she was supposed to my dad would've gone crazy, the only one working, two children, one 15 the other 6! It's preposterous to punish someone for being a responsible mother!!!

We have made many mistakes in our lives, but staying in the U.S. despite immigration orders was not one of them.

See, the thing about being a close-knit family is that when my status is adjusted I will FINALLY be able to work, and my dad will no longer have me as a financial burden. My brother is soon coming to age so he can embark on his money making journey. We will take care of each other like we have so far, remain together physically and emotionally and will make the best of our circumstances. Like we have so far. We never give up, we know what is right in our hearts and that is all that matters, because we are doing harm to no one, so whether government allows it or not, we will make the best of our lives here. With our mother and wife with us.

Thanks for following :)

MUCH LOVE!

things are still cooking

Haven't heard from the attorney yet, figured I'd give it 'til Thursday at which point I'll call the office and ask what's going on. Someone's gotta stay on top of them haha. No she's on top of things I know it, these things just take time.

Patience is one of the many things I've learned, or has my impatience simply turned into simply settling. No, it's not settling because I haven't given up, it's called adapting to the situation and it's all life is about. Adapting.

It was one of the things my mom made a point to be known, that she was proud of me when we first moved here. It's so easy as a kid though, to adapt, when all that matters is having both your parents with you. For the greater part of my life all that mattered were my parents, because even if I had friends, most of my time was spent commuting from home to school and from school to home. Not just in Mexico, but in the U.S. too. And as time went on, priorities changed but friends didn't become important until college. And now friends aren't just friends, they're family.

For me though, adapting has required patience because I haven't let go of my goals and dreams. And I am confident that it will pay off.

News to come as soon as I hear it :)

MUCH LOVE!

enough of the suspense

If there is anyone out there that follows me regularly, I apologize for keeping you in the dark.

This last tuesday we (all us Mexican borns, not my brother) met with the attorney, she was trying to make this a big hit. You know, getting my mom and I taken care of in one. Upon my mom's hesitation and details on how far my mom's process went, the attorney decided it best to prevent a paper-trail until she gets a feel for how the Chief of Immigration responds to the details of my mom's circumstances. So if he says, "ridiculous! no way we will not grant her an adjustment of status" then the attorney will not push for my mom, but if the Chief seems positive about the matter, then we'll start paperwork for my mom.

In the meantime, the attorney is going to set up that appointment with the Chief.

So far she's been talking to the Deputy, who is a personal friend of hers and works right under the Chief. I swear I want to be just like her. She's so incredibly sure of herself, and promises to fight for me until I am approved for adjustment of status. I feel like she's my second mother, I haven't met anyone who has so much passion when she talks about how she's going to make this happen for me.

So what happens is she meets with the Depute (this is the joint motion to reopen), but it seems like this may be it. No need for court appearance, at least that's the impression I'm getting because of the paperwork my dad and I have filled out. One of them is for an immediate adjustment of status. I'm obviously not sure what happens once the Chief takes his decision.

But until residency is approved, I will have a work permit. Which means I can work! get a driver's license! (an real ID!!) the idea itself just makes me want to throw up and cry. . . I can't tell you how many times I've imagined myself holding a driver's license and I can't keep from breaking down.

The last time I told someone I was undocumented I had an uncontrollable crying fit because I wasn't sure how they'd react and there's so much pent up emotion of all sorts about this, they told me, "calm down, it's not like you have cancer". It's not cancer, but to think that I may one day hold that little plastic key of identity, acceptance, legitimacy, recognition, existence, feels like I'm being given the cure to my cancer. And it really is, it's the cure to the entire spectrum of emotions that flows through me every time I think about how I don't actually exist.

It probably sounds absurd, but that's how I've felt ever since I was 15.

Enough of the sadness!

Things are going to be changing in the next few months and I could not be happier, it's about the most amazing, important thing that will happen in my life, screw giving birth haha.

MUCH LOVE!

it's a beautiful life

I'm ridiculously tired but I just want you to know that life is good, always.

Wonderful things happened today and I will tell you all the details tomorrow.

MUCH LOVE!

called it once again :D

Things are working out better than we thought!

I haven't mentioned this before, but my momma's legal status here is as complicated as mine. Yes complicated family we are. Stubborn family set out on our goals is all.

Why am I telling you this?

Attorney awesome just called, we are meeting with her tomorrow to discuss altering the process she'll be taking on for us to make it a dual adjustment of status. TWO IN ONE! Looks like this next year is going to be a big one.

So there it is, half of the family has been standing in limbo for almost 15 years now.

My mom never made it past her freshman year of high school back in Mexico, during her time here she like me, can't get a job, a real job. A job that requires the employer to respect the employee that is. During our time here she got her high school diploma and has worked on an accountant clerk certification which she recently completed.

We're embarking on a journey much bigger than we envisioned it to be, and hopefully it takes us exactly where we want.

MUCH LOVE!

a marker

from here on out, you will be reading what is happening right here right now :)

"Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
today is a gift, that's why it's called the present"

Make everyday count.

MUCH LOVE!

summer's always been my favorite time of the year

It is only noon and a half and my day has already been fabulous! wonderful! productive!

Today is my first day at O2MAX Fitness.
My first unpaid internship. Why I never thought to look for these, I am embarrassed to say I do not know. Too busy digging myself further into my sadness. Point is, I'm doing it now, and I will finally start getting real experience and making contacts in a field I hope to be in for a while that I know I will enjoy always.
I'm going to be working with getting sponsorship for their summer event, yay! Talking to people, sending out emails, it's all good, nothing I can't handle :)

What is this blog about?
Me getting my residency, and that is exactly why today is already an awesome day.

Got a call from the attorney's office, a packet to needs to be compiled to be given to immigration. Copy of: UCSB Diploma, dad and my birth certificates, dad's 2009 taxes, dad's naturalization certificate. There are also several forms to be filled out. So tomorrow my dad and I will be going into the office to give them all these papers and fill out the necessary paperwork.

May this lead us to our desired goal.

MUCH LOVE!

Originally Posted: Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 12:26pm

1 comments:

captainclaudia said...
Omg I am so proud of you ! this sounds like a great way to start your summer :) Keep doing your thing <# Claudia
June 1, 2010 1:06 PM

I am here

I should be working on an internship application right now but I really need to share this.

Last night while tutoring I got a call from my favorite attorney. My phone was on silent so I missed her call but I listened to her message. She asked that I compile a list of mine and my family's accomplishments as long as we've been in the U.S. Also asked for a statement of the kind of person that I am. This paper obviously took precedent to the internship application.

She said that she'd already been in contact with the government, and they ask that she provide a personal statement, my personal statement as part of the paperwork she is about to submit in order to make that joint motion to reopen happen.

This is the very first time since I've been under process with immigration that I have been taken into consideration. I remember one of the times we were preparing for a hearing, I couldn't understand why it didn't matter that I was a straight-A student. This must've been in early high school, because I was convinced my residency would come through before I had to apply to college and would therefore have the world at my fingertips.

I am happy and so incredibly lucky to be able to say that despite the obstacles, I now have my B.A.

BOOYAH! YES I CAN.

I should be hearing from her in the next couple days telling me that she has filed the paperwork.

So much weight has been lifted off my chest.

May this process grant me the freedom to pursue my goals in life, in the only place I call home.

MUCH LOVE.

Originally Posted: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 11:39am

1 comments:

Angry Munchkin said...
yaaayyy!! <3
May 26, 2010 2:49 PM

guess who called today

I missed the call, but he left a message . . . it was the tardo who told us an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court was our only option. Left a message saying he was very concerned since he hasn't heard from me or my dad, so dumb! Because they've never once contacted me, it's usually my dad they call whenever they try to reach me. He goes, "Hi I'm calling you bc I didn't hear back from you your dad or your family, I'm very concerned bc the due date for the appeal would be this month May 27th, and it's already the 25th and it usually takes a day or so to get there, so I'm calling for that purpose, I don't even think I have time to do it at this point".

What a douche! He was supposed to call us back the very next day to confirm the price on the paperwork and he waits til two days before the paperwork is due to contact us. ugh! I'm so glad to be rid of him. No one has ever strung me along and hurt me so much before.

While we're on the subject, no I haven't heard back from the one I think is capable of saving me. In fact, I will call her right now . . .(10mins later as I sat pondering how annoying it must be that I've been calling everyday, but this is my life! So I dialed.) ahhhhh you are the first to know since I am sitting at my desk!!

The receptionist told me she's at the LA Office (I wonder how many offices she has . . . such a badass), anyhoot. She was with clients and very busy, BUT the receptionist was able to tell me that she's seen my file lying around as the attorney has been working on it :D She took my phone number and asked whether I wanted the attorney to call me when she was filing it, YES I said. I definitely feel at ease right now!

May life grant me this, please! please! please!

ps- my heart is racing.

Originally Posted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 4:11pm

no title

Sad to say I have yet to present the news I want . . . called the office today. Apparently she's been traveling a lot for the last week . . . I really really really hope she squeezed some work in there and it was regarding me. That sounds so incredibly selfish but I've gone all in on this and it just has to come through.

Originally Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010 at 6:00pm

How do I fill my time

So what do I do with my days?

Like I said before, I've taken the attitude of being on a vacation. It helps to manage my frustration with the situation. Stress and anger are terrible emotions for a person to have as they age you, you have to perhaps some people may say, act crazy and pretend the problem isn't there. Really, it's just looking at the bright side of things because truth be told, things could be worse.

I've taken refuge in fitness, as it is an excellent way to release stress and frustration. I want to live a long happy life after all. So it was through my recognition that I am solely responsible for my emotional and mental well-being that I started exercising regularly and decided I want to work in the health-field. Initially I just wanted to be a personal fitness-trainer, but like everything else there needs to be a depth and meaning. I want to be a therapist for people with body-image issues, I do after all love to help my friends work through things when they are trying to lose weight. Why not make a living out of it?

Reality is, I can't go to grad school or get a job at the moment. So for now I'm taking fitness classes at the community college. Since my undergraduate was in the social sciences (Double Major in Global Studies and Sociology and a Minor in Art History), I don't have any core science courses under my belt. So that's another set of classes I am taking. I have plenty to keep me busy :)

It helps that my parents are incredibly supportive and my dad is willing to pay for the classes, good thing those are cheap too. Another thing that helps is that I'm tutoring and make a little bit of money through that, spending money is what it is really. No way in hell I'd ever be able to support myself with that. So I suggested I pay for the classes and he can pay for the books, chances are he'll pay for everything.

That's another thing, I live with my parents, but again, super supportive parents, and ridiculously hardworking father who works his ass off to keep a place where everyone has their own rooms. Having a space I can call my own is necessary and most definitely appreciated.

So for those of you out there who may be going through this, don't get frustrated and angry. Get creative, and get your priorities straight, because there is always a way out. And remember that things could always be worse, so appreciate the place you are in.

Originally Posted: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 4:25pm