I can’t wait anymore!

It read 12:35AM. I hear my mom’s voice from down stairs, talking on the phone with my Aunt who lives in South Korea. Slowly I got up from the bed and listen to their phone conversation with curiosity. My mom’s voice is low and worried, “I do not know what to do.” She said. “Ju-Hee (My sister’s name) is not going to college anymore. Instead, she is now working full-time job at ManBukoo (Japanese Restaurant) and also she is now working at the Angu (Another Japanese Restaurant.)” She starts crying as she explains about my sister’s situation. I, too, start to cry under the blanket without any expectation. I am shocked, stunned, and worried about my sister’s future. I never thought that this would happen to my sister. From that night, I was determined to do anything that would help my sister to go back to college. I knew there is only one thing that would help my sister’s situation, which is to pass the DREAM Act.

At the age of 23, my sister is working two jobs at the local Japanese restaurant, mopping floors, washing dishes, while other students are studying and experiencing college life. This type of things shouldn’t be happen to my sister at all. This is unacceptable. I cannot wait anymore; I can’t see my sister coming home late at night and worrying about going to work early in a morning next day. I cannot wait anymore; I can’t see my sister not going to school and working long hours at night just to support our family. I cannot wait anymore, I can’t see my sister losing hope and losing her dream of becoming an artist. I will not let this happen to my sister anymore. I will do anything that would help my sister as well as other students who are like my sister’s situation. I will risk my life if I have to, as long as if I can solve this broken immigration system and help thousands of undocumented students to achieve higher education.

Now, I am not afraid of risking myself anymore, because I have so many allies and supporters and thousands of dream activists who are standing with me. Now is the time, it is the time to risk ourselves to speak out on behalf of thousands of undocumented students and push to pass the DREAM Act as well as comprehensive immigration reform. So, I hope that you will continue to stand with me and fight for our rights. Si Se Puede!