All These Years And For What?

[Osha 126]

We all have stories as to how and why we ended up in this mess. I've been in this country for 13 years and it feels like I'm serving a life sentence for a crime that I did not commit. 13 years of my life spend in fear, depression, and hardship. There are many of you who have spend way more years without legal status than me, but I just want you guys to share some of your stories (if you want) as to how you've managed to stay strong and hopeful given the situation that you've been in for so long.

Sometimes I just sit and stir at my friends who are Americans by birth and I just shake my head that my life is so drastically harder and so complicated than theirs, but yet we are so much alike. My friends have no idea how it is to not have legal status in this country, many people have no clue, but I've managed to finish high school and now I'm trying to finish college by putting pennies together in order to atleast take few college courses at a time until I can reach the finish line. Its been a tough 13 years, can't drive, can't enjoy simple things like working...etc, and once I get my DACA approved I don't even where to begin. Lol

I came here when I was very young and now I'm in my mid 20s approaching my 30s, it's hard to believe sometimes how a document can make ones life so tough. The one thing that gives me strength and hope is the DREAMers movement, it's fascinating how a group of young undocumented youths can have political power and how organized and resilient it has become.

DACA have given us a chance to take a deep sigh of relieve, especially for those who have been approved, but we still have a long road to travel and the Dream Act is our ultimate destination. But damn, I want my 13 years back. Lol

How have this "undocumented" life been for you?

[itzel 336]

Its been hard, but I think what doesnt kill me makes me stronger and being undocumented made me appreciate what I have more and that the goals I have will be realized because if I survived this, I can survive anything., Also, God gives only his strong soldiers the tasks he feels they will be able to handle.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[splif0clock 89]

I got to say, sometimes I break down and say F**k this eshi. But, at the end of the day, I always look at all the sad stories from around the world and be like It could be worse for me because most of the stories you hear are just sad. I could be in a city where there is constant war, no food to eat, or be in a situation where I don't have a place to call home. So, I end up telling myself that my life struggles are teaching me to become a better person than the average person. And, I do believe it made me a better person minus being too emotional.

You just got to remember your situation could be worst and try to make the best out of little things and stay positive.

[Santi 353]

I got to say, sometimes I break down and say F**k this eshi. But, at the end of the day, I always look at all the sad stories from around the world and be like It could be worst for me because most of the stories you hear are just sad. I could be in a city where there is constant war, no food to eat, or be in a situation where I don't have a place to call home. So, I end up telling myself that my life struggles are teaching me to become a better person than the average person. And, I do believe it made me a better person minus being too emotional.

You just got to remember your situation could be worst and try to make the best out of little things and stay positive.

It would be fair to categorize our situation as a 'First World Problem.'

[MoniqueMelissa 10]

I came here when I was 8 from Trinidad and really up until my sophomore year in high school I lived a normal oblivious life. The last 3 years has been the hardest years of my life because more often than not, my mom and I couldn't make ends meet. But I think that we're all a lot stronger and more determined than other people our age because we know exactly what's trying holding us back and we refuse to let it. It's a bit silly but something my mom always told me that has gotten me through every difficult time in my life is: God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.

Personally I volunteer a lot and that helps so much. I see families who live in shelters, people who don't have food on thanksgiving, people with illnesses who can't afford medication, and children who never get anything for Christmas. They're all American citizens. Here I am, without any documentation, and even at my most difficult point I have more than a good percentage of Americans. It's a struggle but we can do it for ourselves and for our parents who made the sacrifice for us.

[splif0clock 89]

It would be fair to categorize our situation as a 'First World Problem.'

Correct! But, no one chooses to be in those situation and the same goes to us. We( I should not include myself in this) were not given a choice to live the undocumented life. So, in my personal opinion I somehow consider them alike minus the Innocent killings.

[pswa83 302]

honestly, other then not being able to drive legally, i've lived a normal life. i've worked jobs, gone and finished high school and college. i've been able to travel within the US with just my valid passport. i've been in this country since i was a week old and know nothing about my country of birth.

my mother and my grandparents both have always told me, that is i wanted something bad enough and had the power to do so, then i need to do it. things beyond my control are just that, beyond my control. no sense of trying to change something that you cant change.

[x0_michy 8]

I think all of the users above me have said something that is true. We all know exactly what you're going through, because we are in the same position. One of my favorite quotes is "God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers" Unfortunately no matter how much time you spend thinking or wishing your situation was different... it isn't going to change. It is something that is out of our control,so why waste time? I try to think positive. Like splif0clock said, when we think about it people throughout the world are going through SO much worse, they would kill to be in our position. No matter what, you won't get your 13 years back (oh how awesome life would be if we were given that option lol) but unfortunately it's not possible, so don't dwell on that. Dwell on making the rest of your life BETTER and living it up as much as you can DACA is only the beginning (I like to hope) but it's a very big first step, hopefully better things are to come for our people. It's very good that you're in college and little by little you're getting there props to you!! don't let a simple document hold you back from your goals. My life has been hard, but like I said above I like to keep myself the most optimistic as possible and with DACA I have so much to look forward too (as all of us do) The best of luck on your process!

[Cynthia_Penuelas 13]

Ive been living here for 12 yrs

what made "easy" its the fact the i actually didnt come to the usa for the "american dream" dont get me wrong, now i love and i appreciate and im forever grateful to this country but tje reason i came or we meaning my parents and i came here its for my dads health. He is on dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment for ppl with renal failure. Simple term his kidneys dont work. Yes they have dialysis back home but they didnt have i guess "good enough service" my dad was pretty much always in need of a blood transfution. All always felt pretty bad. Things havent been like perfect here in terms of his health but im sure if were back home, he wouldnt be alive now.

so yeah in my head ive always thought if my dad gets a transplant or god forbides he dies. Thats it i dont need or well actually i,dont want to be here anymore. Unless i have a good job and/or have a fam. Like i said before i am really greatful to this country but i miss my fam greatly...have missed lots of family events. So my resoning my dads health is the reason we came here if that is not a "problem" anymore i dont need to be here.