roadrunner11

Here are a few tips on where to find jobs - 1. Online - Most companies take the electronic route these days. So, if you have a company in mind you would like to work at go on their website and search for the "careers" or "jobs" link. Some even allow you to create a profile and save your resume to apply for several positions. Department of Labor - All states have one. They will have online resources for job searching. Go on the website and register. Registering allows you to upload your resume and personal information such as SSN and EAD number on a secure website. Also lots of reliable employers post jobs daily, so your search is more likely going to be successful. Other websites - indeed.com, craigslist (BE VERY CAREFUL on here though most posts are scams so NEVER provide your personal information), careerbuilding.com 2. Old Fashion Way- Go to businesses and ask for job applications. Make sure to look presentable and professional. First impressions are important. Ask relatives and friends if they know of anyone hiring. You are more likely to get hired if someone you know works there already Newspaper ads That is all I can think of for now... Please feel free to add more information

So who likes to go water skiing or rafting, sports or poetry?? Anyone wants to share a cool hobbie? I personally love running... duh hence my username and I also love photography. When I find a good paying job I plan to take some photography classes and buy myself a nice SLR camera.

State Senate GOP Leadership Endorses Drivers' Licenses For Deferred Action Program December, 3 2012 By Nevada News Bureau Staff CARSON CITY – Nevada's state Senate Republican leadership expressed support for a state policy that makes thousands of young immigrants living in Nevada eligible for a state-issued driver's license or ID. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, with the support of Gov. Brian Sandoval, announced this week that its policy would be to honor the employment authorization card granted to successful applicants under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Deferred Action program. Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, said he supports the DMV policy and hopes those eligible will take advantage of this opportunity. “These young men and women are living, working and attending school here in Nevada, and are doing everything in their power to improve their lives and the lives of their families,” Roberson said. “A driver's license from the state of Nevada will aid in their ability to commute to and from work and school; will afford a sense of self-sufficiency; and will provide greater opportunities for thousands of Nevada families.” Deferred Action, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a directive from the secretary of the DHS that grants temporary permission to stay in the U.S. to certain undocumented young people. Individuals who receive deferred action may apply for and obtain employment authorization. It is estimated that more than 20,000 young immigrants could benefit from this program in Nevada. Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, also applauded the policy: “This DMV policy allowing young immigrants living in our communities to obtain driver's licenses will benefit not only the young people and families eligible for deferred action, but will also help strengthen Nevada's education system and our economy at large.” Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, commented on the safety aspects of the policy: “In order to secure a driver's license, an individual must obtain the proper knowledge and skill level to pass a test to ensure they can safely drive on the streets. This policy will not only provide greater opportunity for so many young people in Nevada, it will also make our streets safer by ensuring training for those who may otherwise be driving without a license or adequate preparation.”

This is an interesting immigration blog: http://americasvoice...to-citizenship/ Let’s Get This Straight: Immigration Reform Must Put the Undocumented on a Path to Citizenship by Pili Tobar on 11/15/2012 at 4:43pm With immigration reform legislation moving to the top of Washington’s post-inauguration “To Do” list, it’s important to get some things clear from the start regarding workable and humane reform. The heart of the matter? What are we as a society going to do with 11 million undocumented immigrants who are settled in America. The only solution that works from both a moral and a practical perspective? Creating a common sense immigration process that “creates a line to get into,” one that puts the 11 million undocumented on a path to citizenship. Over the past week, immigration reform has leapt to the top of the Presidential and Congressional “To Do” list. Democrats, starting with the President, clearly want to do it. Republicans, from John Boehner to John McCain, now recognize they need to do it. But one question keeps popping up, either directly or indirectly: should the undocumented be eligible for full citizenship, or only for something less than that, such as permanent residence without a path to citizenship? For example, Sean Hannity made it clear where he now stands when he said he had “evolved” and now supports a “pathway to citizenship.” Meanwhile, Charles Krauthammer called on Republicans to make a bold change in policy, but called for “amnesty, everything short of citizenship.” President Obama, who made it crystal clear during his first post-election press conference yesterday that immigration reform is a top priority he expects to work on with Congress shortly after inauguration, may have inadvertently contributed to this debate when he called for, “a pathway for legal status for those who are living in this country…” Though some interpreted President Obama’s usage of the phrase “legal status” as a signal that he would accept something other than full citizenship, we didn’t. For one, the White House clarified after his comments that the President remains committed to eventual “citizenship” for the undocumented. Moreover, the President’s position has been crystal clear in favor of full citizenship, as laid out by the Obama Administration’s official immigration blueprint and in his substantial immigration-focused speeches. Remarkably, the President and Democrats in Congress who are committed to creating a path to citizenship recently have been joined by a number of the Republicans and conservatives, including Senators Rand Paul, Orrin Hatch, Dean Heller and Lindsey Graham, each of whom have highlighted their openness to eventual citizenship. According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund: Immigration reform that puts the undocumented on the road to full citizenship and participation in American life is the right thing to do and the practical thing to do. We’re talking about Americans-in-waiting, most of whom have lived and worked in this country for more than a decade. Instead of sending them to the back of the bus we should proudly reaffirm our American tradition of welcoming those who are willing to accept as full equals those who learn our language, pledge allegiance to our flag and contribute to our success. And for Republicans interested in getting this issue behind them so they can regain their competitiveness with Latino voters? Be practical. Deal with this once and for all. Help create a ‘line to get into,’ support full citizenship and share in the credit of having gotten it done. Don’t fight to give these new Americans something less than full citizenship. If you succeed in getting less than full citizenship, you’ll only succeed in cementing your brand as the party that doesn’t want to treat Latino immigrants equally. And that would undermine one of the purposes of doing this in the first place.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/15/4989601/with-republicans-onboard-can-immigration.html With Republicans onboard, can immigration overhaul pass? McClatchy Newspapers Published Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 WASHINGTON -- The ingredients of a new immigration bill are beginning to take shape, with many Republicans now rushing to join Democrats to develop a comprehensive plan. Republicans were stung by the recent elections, in which Latinos overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama for another term. Conservative leaders and commentators immediately said the party had to become more welcoming to the nation’s fastest-growing voting bloc, and for many that meant reversing course on considering immigration policies that hard-liners previously had likened to amnesty. Even conservative Fox News host Sean Hannity, reflecting on the Latino vote, told radio listeners that he’s “evolved” and now supports a pathway to citizenship. “We’ve got to get rid of the immigration issue altogether,” he said. Obama, meanwhile, said this week that he’d make immigration one of his first legislative priorities. Criticized in the past for not putting forth specific legislative ideas, the president said his staff already had been in touch with Congress about what a plan might look like. The key concepts – beefed-up border security and a pathway to legal residence for 11 million illegal immigrants – are similar to earlier proposals, which means that success probably will depend less on new ideas and more on the nation’s changing demographic and electoral realities. The hurdles to an agreement are huge: The immigration debate in Washington has remained in a stalemate for much of the past decade. The last immigration-related law adopted was in 2005, and it required states to check the citizenship or legal-residence status of any applicants for driver’s licenses. There’s strong opposition within the Republican-led House of Representatives to a path to citizenship. But this week both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill spoke as if they finally could reach agreement on a solution to address the estimated 11 million people who are living in the country illegally. There’s general consensus on stronger border protection, employment verification and a path to legal status for some illegal immigrants. What’s in dispute is what type of path to legal residence, for how many and whether it would include citizenship. Leaders also anticipate arguments over a bigger guest-worker program. “Everything is broken,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in an interview. “We need to fix it all.” Schumer and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who helped lead previous bipartisan efforts, already have begun talks. Others who are expected to participate include Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., Graham said. “We’ll be getting the band back together again,” said Graham, who along with McCain had been forced to abandon previous support of comprehensive overhaul efforts because of pushback from their constituents and national opposition. Discussions reopened this month after Latino voters came out in force to help re-elect Obama. The president supported comprehensive restructuring and used his executive power this summer to prevent hundreds of thousands of undocumented youths who’d been brought to the country by their parents from being deported. Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney advocated during the primaries for hard-line polices that promoted “self-deportation,” and he tapped one of the authors of Arizona’s controversial immigration law as an adviser. Among other provisions, the law requires police to check the status of anyone they suspect is in the country illegally. Latino influence is only expected to rise, as the number of Latinos who are eligible to vote is expected to nearly double over the next two decades. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, Latinos are expected to account for 40 percent of the electorate growth and they could total 40 million eligible voters by 2030, up from 23.7 million now. But it wasn’t just Latinos who were seeking a more sympathetic policy for the undocumented community. Two-thirds of voters said undocumented immigrants working in the United States should be offered a chance to apply for legal status, according to exit polls. Only about one in three said they should be deported. Obama said this week that an immigration plan must include the DREAM Act, which would give a path to citizenship to about 1.2 million young undocumented immigrants who were brought here by their parents. But in his news conference this week, the president noticeably left out citizenship for the parents and other illegal immigrants in his broader call, saying only “path to legal status.” Many Republicans oppose a path to citizenship, likening it to amnesty. Republicans will have to compromise on providing a legal path for some illegal immigrants, but Graham said labor unions closely aligned with Democrats also would have to compromise on expanding guest-worker programs, which require participants to return to their home countries after specific periods. Some Democrats charge that the programs are schemes to import cheap labor to displace American workers. Despite the warm feelings being expressed between Democrats and Republicans, immigration remains one of the more emotional divisive issues of our day. Obama has pledged to confront the issue soon after his inauguration Jan. 21. While both sides agree that immigration needs to be addressed next year, they’re moving cautiously, as the last several attempts at comprehensive restructuring have failed. It’s been more than 25 years since the last comprehensive overhaul. For many Republicans, the newfound advocacy comes with risks. Many voters continue to strongly oppose anything that smacks of “amnesty.” Graham, who’s running for re-election in 2014, backed away from his earlier levels of support after an onslaught of criticism. McCain also is returning to negotiations after abandoning earlier support. Facing a conservative challenger in 2010, he released a tough-talking television ad that blamed illegal immigrants for “home invasions, murders” and called for completing the “danged fence.” To reach any agreement, conservatives will have to be part of the discussions, Paul said. He’s willing to serve as a liaison. A darling of the tea party movement, Paul once made headlines by saying he favored denying citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants. He now wants to set up roundtable meetings with Latino leaders to talk “trade-offs,” and he said this week that he supports an “eventual path” to citizenship. Republicans are seeking to avoid the mistakes of 1986, when President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to some 3 million illegal immigrants. A lack of security mechanisms contributed to a wave of millions more illegal immigrants coming to the country to be with family. There’s a “consensus” among House Republicans to work toward a solution, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who serves as the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. To get his support, he said, it’s crucial to “have enforcement mechanisms in there that are real.”

I just wanted to start a shout out for MOE on getting his EAD and DACA approval Thanks to his genious idea of creating a forum we have all come together and found awesome information and support. LET'S ALL THANK MOE FOR THIS BEST WISHES MOE ON ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS! SINCERELY, ROADRUNNER11

After you obtain your EAD and SSN it is time to get your State ID or DL. Hopefully the state you live in grants DL or IDs to dreamers. Requirements vary among states but here are the general guidelines. 1. Study the driving manual. You can find what your DMV requires when applying for a DL. You can always go online and download the manual as a PDF. 2. At the DMV, take your EAD and SSN cards as proof of identity. They might ask you for one more ID so you can take a valid photo ID such as a passport of maybe a school ID? 3. Proof of residency - You can take a letter, bill, shipping receipts, etc. 4. Take the written driving test based on the particular state's manual. 5. Take the "behind the wheel" driving test. Please add more details if I missed something.

After a record-setting number of Latinos turned up at the polls in key swing states across the U.S. on Election Night, lawmakers in Washington look like they might finally be moving towards making the hot-button issue of immigration reform a priority. The Hispanic vote played a major role in President Barack Obama's Nov. 6 victory that secured another four-year term for the president. According to Latino Decisions, which measures Hispanic voting data in the U.S., Latinos turned out to give Obama a record-breaking 75 percent of their votes nationwide, helping him shatter Bill Clinton's 72 percent benchmark among Latino voters in the 1996 election Read more at http://www.latinospost.com/articles/6806/20121112/immigration-reform-2012-latest-news-gain-higher.htm#ylCA6luV965b8pbi.99

Hi guys, First of all I want to thank MOE and the rest of the administrators here. I am certain we all appreciate the information and sense of community found here. The resources and information provided not only help us fill out our forms and express our concerns but also make life changing decisions. Personally, I stumbled across this forum on google and now I find myself checking this forum every day learning about the different aspects of this policy and also getting to know the human side of it. One thing that strikes me the most is the fact that we have tons and tons of pretty neat and intelligent people. Some of us have been able to finish college or already have great paying jobs even though we were/are undocumented. Others are just getting a start in life while still in High School or maybe we had to deal with more obstacles that put us behind just a little. No matter in what situation we are in, we all have a drive and desire to succeed and become someone in life. Hence why we all get those panic/anxiety attacks when we get impatient. Think about the runner who is racing a long distance race. The first couple of minutes he/she will give 70-80% of the full potential, as time goes by mental obstancles may kick in and the race might become harder and longer. However, there are those who keep their eyes on the prize/finish line and as it approaches their inner drive will force their body to give 1000% of its potential and abilities. So who wins the race? My point is we have been waiting years for this opportunity and who would have thought Friday June 15, 2012 was a glimpse of one of the finish lines in our lives. Did you wake up that Friday morning feeling like there was hope and you could maybe become somebody here? So, drop the negative thoughts and mental obstacles. Keep running the race like a beast.Because in the end the winners are only those who give it all even after crossing the finish line. Prepare for what is coming next. I am afraid some comments and posts are having a negative effect on people. I know you are probably thinking well you are just saying this because you already got approved and such. BUT NO! I am saying this because I like strive for constructiveness around here. This forum would benefit from keep being a place where people can find reliable information and cope with their concerns in a positive way. I am not saying stop complaining because you have the right to say what ever you want. All I am saying is please think before posting something - IS IT GOING TO HELP OTHERS COPE/ INFORM OTHERS? Believe it or not some people have told me they stopped logging in because some posts make them feel overwhelmed. Whether you agree or disagree with me, it's your personal opinion and choice. I am just exposing my thoughts. Best wishes to all of you.

I am currently waiting to hear back from USCIS on my EAD and work permit. I got my biometrics done on Sept. 19th. It can be a little nervewrecking to hear the timelines posted considering it has been over 3 weeks since I got my biometrics done. But, I have to wait. I am not sure if it is because my case went to the Nebraska Center or if it matters what state I am from? A little about me. I was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I came to the US when I was 14, graduated HS in 2007 as the class valedictorian. I was lucky enough to meet a very nice couple along the way who gave me a scholarship and I attended private college. I graduated in 2011 with a Bacherlors in Science. My grandma had applied for my residency in 2004 but she passed away a month before we got approved so when we did the approval meant nothing. Back to square 1. I can't really complain about my life considering I have been able to go to college and I was able to find a job as well. However, I am ready to start my life here. I am sure we all feel like our lives are stalled even if we have had opportunities. I can't wait for all of my friends who applied to DACA and for myself too to get it. It will be a relief. To everyone, keep praying, spread the word and enjoy life no matter what!

Hey guys October 15th is coming up and that means I am again in the process of renewing my DACA. I have to say the uncertainty fear is back and I am really hoping that one day we don't have to renew it so often. But, then I look back and think about the many things I have been able to do in these short year and 8 months. When I first applied for my permit, I was a college graduate working as a nanny for a family who was not only racist but they were blunt about it. I left them even before I was approved. My goal in college was always to become a doctor or a PA. So as soon as I was approved for DACA I started researching my options to go back to school. I also got a job at a local hospital working for several clinics. Finally in July 2013, I decided to sign up for my GRE and start my PA school application. I had no idea how I was going to pay for it or if I would even get a chance because of my DACA status. First, I was denied from the state school because of DACA but I got a chance to interview across the United States at a school. I bought a ticket and packed my bag full of hope and dreams. I rented a car and drove to the middle of nowhere and interviewed the next day. They asked me about my life in my birth country as I included some of my background in my personal statement. They asked about my legal situation and family. I felt honored to be there representing all of the dreamers who are taking advantage of this opportunity. The same night of my interview at 8pm I got a call offering me a one of the 70 seats they offer per year. I was chosen out of over 2000 applicants to attend school there. Then, it came the financial situation or I should say the nightmare. This kind of program does not have financial aid even citizens take out loans to pay for it. So here I was with the chance of becoming a PA and again my citizenship status was in the way as banks couldn't lend me the money without a US cosigner with good credit. I asked some family friends and they said no. I finally told my coworker what was happening and she pushed me to the limit to find other options/people who would be willing to sign for me. I am talking sign 100k. Someone told me "sweetie, no one is going to sign that loan for you", yeah it crushed me in tiny little pieces. But, I asked the last person I thought would do something for me and she did. Her and her husband had seen me work hard in high school working two jobs to pay for college and helping people in the community clinic. They offerend to help me. And now I am here typing this story with lots of studying and homework to do but attending PA school across the country. Along the way I met another dreamer with the same dream as me, becoming a health care provider. We are both in PA school. We talk sometimes and it just makes me so proud to see so many of us working so hard to show we are not only undocumented people. We are the next generation of lawyers, nurses, PAs, business owners etc. Go out other and try your best and get the best out of this. It is not easy but it makes you brave and determined.

I have been thinking lately how our DACA status affects our post grad decisions and such. Some of us dream with continuing our college education after obtaining a Bachelor's degree. In medical field and there are several limitations for DACA recipients. For example, medical schools will not accept non-resident aliens unless they have a student visa and these are considered international students. Besides medical schools, other health professions programs will not allow a non-permanent residents attend or get certified/licensed. It is a harsh reality for me because ALL my life I have dreamed to become an MD or a PA. Regardless of this, I am going to keep working towards my goals as if I were able to accomplish them. Maybe someday we will get granted a more permanet status. Have you guys researched post grad programs out there in the many fields that will allow DACA recipients get a master's degree or PhD.?

Link - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/dreamers-michigan-drivers-licenses_n_2331427.html Dreamers Sue To Stop Michigan From Denying Driver's Licenses WASHINGTON -- Civil rights groups sued Michigan Secretary Of State Ruth Johnson ® on Wednesday for blocking driver's licenses for undocumented young people given deportation relief by the president. Denying the group licenses makes many unable to use their newly-granted work authorization, attend school or simply get around. The American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigration Law Center filed the Michigan suit on behalf of three undocumented young people and a youth immigrant group, One Michigan. Receiving driver's licenses is a significant issue to the estimated 1.76 million young undocumented immigrants -- often called Dreamers -- in Michigan who may be eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Although there are no breakdowns for how many young people in Michigan have been granted deferred action, 102,965 people were approved nationwide as of Dec. 13. The two-year deferred action means that in most states, those undocumented immigrants can apply for driver's licenses. But Michigan, Arizona and Nebraska governments have refused to grant licenses to Dreamers who have been granted deportation reprieve. "They're really unable to work and to use benefits of that status because they can't drive," said Karen Tumlin, an attorney for the National Immigration Law Center. "Michigan winter is not exactly where you'd want to walk to work." In Arizona, the decision seemed partially political. Gov. Jan Brewer ®, an immigration hardliner, announced in August that the state would deny driver's licenses to deferred action recipients. The civil rights groups filed a complaint in Arizona in November along the same grounds as the suit in Michigan. Attorneys with the ACLU and the National Immigration Law Center said Michigan seems somewhat different -- possibly just confused, rather than trying to thwart the policy for political reasons. Johnson, the secretary of state, told her staffers in November not to grant driver's licenses to deferred action beneficiaries. Her spokeswoman, Gisgie Gendreau, told the Detroit Free Press at the time that they were not allowed, by law, to grant licenses. "Michigan law requires legal presence, that someone be here legally," Gendreau told the Free Press. "The federal government has said that DACA does not grant legal status, so we can't issue a driver's license or state ID to DACA participants." Reached for comment on the lawsuit Wednesday afternoon, Gendreau said the state will continue to rely on the government's definition of legal status for its policy on driver's licenses. She pointed to a few documents that state deferred action does not confer an individual with legal status, including the June 15 memo by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that announced the policy. "This memorandum confers no substantive right, immigration status or pathway to citizenship," that memo reads. The attorneys said they are hopeful that their lawsuit will convince state leaders that they are misunderstanding the policy. Although deferred action isn't the same as an immigrant visa, it does allow the undocumented beneficiary to stay in the United States legally, which they argue means the Michigan secretary of state is wrong. "It's contradicted by federal law," Michael Tan, an attorney at the ACLU, said. "Although states have the authority to issue driver's licenses as a general matter, they don't get to decide who is authorized to be here in the country or not, that's up to the federal government." Tan said given Michigan's general openness toward immigrants, its leaders may be more amenable to changing its policy than those in states like Arizona. "I don't think that this is like Arizona, where Gov. Brewer very openly came out and denounced the DACA program as back-door amnesty and described her order as being necessary to make sure 'illegal people' wouldn't get licenses in her state," he said. "I think Michigan is different, the governor's office has worked and made a real commitment to make Michigan a welcoming place for immigrants. This is really about a fundamental misunderstanding of federal law." This article has been updated to include a response from the Michigan secretary of state's office and to clarify that Michael Tan intended to say states have the authority to issue driver's licenses as a general, rather than federal, matter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/us/dream-act-gives-young-immigrants-a-political-voice.html?pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print Young Immigrants Say It’s Obama’s Time to Act By JULIA PRESTON NEW HAVEN — It has been a good year for young immigrants living in the country without legal papers, the ones who call themselves Dreamers. Their protests and pressure helped push President Obama to offer many of them reprieves from deportation. So far about 310,000 youths have emerged from the shadows to apply, with numbers rising rapidly. Door-knocking campaigns led by those immigrants, who could not vote, mobilized many Latinos who could, based in no small part on the popularity of the reprieve program. After Latinos rewarded Mr. Obama with 71 percent of their votes, the president said one of the first items on his agenda next year would be a bill to legalize 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, which would offer a path to citizenship for young people. Behind the political momentum, administration officials and advocates say, is an extensive and surprisingly adroit movement of youthful immigrants. Because of their illegal status, however, they have often been more influential than they have been visible. In the past two years, they pursued their goal of legal recognition through a calibrated strategy of quiet negotiations, public “coming-out” events where youths declared their status, and escalating street protests. Now, movement leaders say, it is payback time. When Congress last debated broad reform, in 2007, populist energy was on the side of those opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants. Angry resistance from Republicans defeated a legalization proposal by President George W. Bush. This time the young immigrants are the rising force, and they seek legislation to give them a direct and permanent path to citizenship. But recalling that Mr. Obama also promised at the start of his first term to move swiftly on immigration overhaul, they say their attitude toward him is wait-and-see. “People are not going to hug the president right now,” said Carlos Saavedra, 26, an immigrant from Peru and national coordinator of United We Dream, the largest network of young immigrants here illegally. “They are waiting for him to take some action.” This weekend, United We Dream will gather more than 600 leaders (most still without legal status) from 30 states at a meeting in Kansas City, Mo., to work out their strategy to keep the heat on the White House and Congress during the coming immigration fight. Even some adversaries acknowledge the youth movement’s successes. “They have framed their story in a very popular way, and they’ve leveraged that story very effectively,” said Roy S. Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA, a leading group opposing amnesty. There have been other banner moments this year for young people who take their name from the Dream Act, a bill before Congress that would create a formal path to citizenship for young people here illegally who came to this country as children. In June, Jose Antonio Vargas, a journalist born in the Philippines, appeared on the cover of Time magazine along with a dozen others without legal status. In August, Benita Veliz, who is from Mexico, spoke at the Democratic National Convention about growing up without legal status. Overcoming Fear The high profile is recent for organizers whose work has often been clandestine. In the early years of the movement, even convening a meeting was a challenge, since so many youths, lacking papers, could not fly or drive without risking deportation. “They put at risk their own safety and being sent back to a country they haven’t seen since they were in diapers,” said Angela Kelley, an advocate and veteran of many immigration wars on Capitol Hill, now at the Democratic-leaning Center for American Progress in Washington. For many Dream leaders, activism began in the last years of high school, when they realized that their status might prevent them from going to college. Here in New Haven, Lorella Praeli, the director of advocacy for United We Dream, said she was 2 years old when she came from Peru. Her father brought her for medical treatment after her leg was amputated following a car crash. Ms. Praeli attended Quinnipiac University on scholarship, and she graduated last year with honors. Now 24, she said exasperation with Congress’s inaction on the Dream Act propelled her to join the movement. Mr. Saavedra, from Boston, was in high school in 2004 when he joined a campaign for an in-state resident college tuition discount for illegal immigrants in Massachusetts. He said he became a full-time activist after the bill passed the state legislature but was vetoed by the governor, Mitt Romney. Gaby Pacheco, 27, originally from Ecuador, hoped to teach children with autism, but without papers could not be certified. In 2010 she joined a four-month protest walk from her home in Miami to Washington with three other students. In California, Justino Mora, 23 and Mexican-born, was an honors student and track team captain in high school. Because of his status, Mr. Mora said, he had to postpone college studies in aerospace engineering. He joined a California branch of the Dream network. The leaders had another moment of truth when they publicly revealed their illegal status. Ms. Praeli’s moment came before television cameras at a news conference called at the last minute in New Haven in 2010. “I wasn’t prepared and I’m thinking, I haven’t even talked to my mom yet,” she said. Improvising, she recounted her personal story. Soon, she felt relief. “Once you’re out in public,” she said, “there is no hiding, there is no fake narrative. The overwhelming feeling is, I don’t have to worry about being someone I’m not.” The Power of Stories United We Dream was founded in 2009 by local groups that banded together into a national network. The leaders realized that encouraging young people to recount the stories of their lives in hiding and of their thwarted aspirations could be liberating for them, and also compelling for skeptical Americans. Now, in tactical sessions, young immigrants are trained to tell their stories to anyone who will listen, from a voter to a United States senator. Two years ago Dreamer groups began holding coming-out ceremonies where students defied the immigration authorities with signs announcing they were “undocumented and unafraid.” “One of our successes has been that we have created a shared identity about being a Dreamer,” said Cristina Jimenez, 28, who was born in Ecuador and graduated from Queens College in New York and is now the managing director of United We Dream. A turning point for the movement was the lame-duck session of Congress in late 2010. The Dream Act passed the House of Representatives. In the Senate, it failed by five votes. More than 200 immigrants watched from the Senate gallery. “A lot of us stepped out of the gallery and we were crying,” Ms. Praeli said. “And it was like that, I think, for five minutes. And then the attitude just changed.” Many left Washington feeling more determined, she said. Ms. Pacheco said she concluded that day that it was time to shift strategies. The House majority would pass to Republicans, who rejected the Dream Act as a reward to immigrant lawbreakers. The movement would have to concentrate on the president, Ms. Pacheco believed, to press him to stop deportations using executive powers. In a meeting after the vote with Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, Ms. Pacheco said she grabbed him and whispered in his ear. “You know the president has the power to stop deporting us,” she said. “You know you could tell him to do this.” Startled, Mr. Reid gave her a hug and walked away. November 30, 2012

Welcome Santiago! Miami Dade college offers in-state tuition to DACA recipients. I highly recommend calling a financial advisor and meeting with them in person. I have met people who are currently at MDC paying in-state tuition and getting their degrees with DACA. It will not be easy or cheap. Nothing is easy for us but you can go to school part-time and work to pay for your classes. I personally had to have two jobs to fund my undergraduate education and for my graduate education I found a cosigner for my student loans. It is a tough decision but trust me it pays off in the end. Going to school for me was extremely difficult and there were a million road blocks but a really good friend pushed me keep fighting for my dreams. So, if you really want to go to to college keep going Santiago. There are ways you just need to try harder than the rest of Americans. Let me know if you have questions.

I suggest you call them to check on the status of your application. I recently called and they said it takes on average 3 months for them to make a decision.

I am not sure what that message means. The good thing is that you can tell they are looking at your application.

You need to call and put in a request by calling a service center. My renewal went to a different state (my previous address) and it wasn't returned to their office. I had to wait like a month and a half or two before I got my work permit. I know how you feel. It is so horrible. Do not reapply that will cost you a lot of money and that was their mistake. At least try the request at first and if not then see what they say.

Congratulations and welcome I am extremely honored to meet every person on this forum who has fought hard to be where we are.

As long as you have your letter you should be ok. maybe carry the letter or a copy in your wallet?

Get your GED!! ASAP just study and take the test before August or so and send the new GED!

Try private schools. Yes, their tuition is more expensive BUT they do not depend on state aid for their own scholarships. You might find that they have really good ones and cover more than what financial aid would. I went to a private school a few years back and I paid about 7k a year overall. That was way cheaper than going to a state school and not getting any aid.

Hey there! You can try filling out the forms for taxes and doing the background check. It might happen that they accept you! I worked at a hospital for a year and half and now I am back in school so I can't work but I am sure you can try that first and if there are any problems HR will call you and you can explain to them. Don't raise any flags yet just be chilled and follow the process like anyone else would.