heretostay

thank you!

Hello, my name is Fernando. I was brought to united states illegally by my mother at 6 months from birth, she had no other choice but to bring me to the U.S after my father had abandoned us and were left alone with berly any food to last us. My whole family had moved to the u.s, so she had no one to rely on back in mexico. We had lived in California till i was at the age of 5 but soon moved out to Arizona after my step father had gone to prison for drug trafficing. Ive been living in phoenix since then. Going to school here and getting an education. Ive been through ups and downs with the state due to its immigration problems. For example the sb1070. the right for police men to ask for documention was a real hassle. it did cause fear in alot of us undocumented people. Ive had friends get deported in raids from Joe Arapio or just stopped in one of his usual round ups, and i was one of the lucky few who made it through all that and finish high school and graduated on top of my class. As proud as i was of myself for accomplishing something good in life it wasnt quite satisfying because i didnt have proper documentation to work or let alone get help from the goverment to continue going to school. So i started working in landscaping with one of my old friends from high school. Let me tell you its not easy doing that sort of job when its gets to about over 115 degrees here in Arizona. Especially the amount of pay we were getting wasnt even worth it but didnt have no other choice. Everyday i would wake up, thinking is this what all my hard work has lead me to?. I had friends in high school who were going to commuitiy colleges, universities or in the army . and i was stuck working out in the sun everyday. I really thought it was unfair. I did everything right in life. never been arrested, always got good grades and always kept a postive addidute. I truely lost all hope when the dream act didnt pass the second time. I went through a time of depression after that . I didnt feel like doing much but like every dark tunnel theres always a light at the end of it. Last year my daughter was born and it brough out the best in me . I became a father and it was my motive to give my daughter everything i never had. I worked harder and ended up with a better job with a good friend at his store. hes showing me the ropes in buisness . Which i always wanted to go to school for in the first place but couldnt, and finally later that same year the Deferred action was introduced. I was blessed by god because i qualified for it. I am currently waiting for an approval but know in my heart ill get apporved soon. Now its just a waiting game, but know that the wait is worth it because in the end Im going to be able to get the chance to further my studies and go through life without any fear.