Meet my friend, Miguel

One of my good friends from Cal State East Bay, Miguel P, hosted an event for the first time to promote about the DREAM Act. For several days, Miguel has asked potential AB540 students who are willing to share testimony at the event. Fortunately, we were able to talk to each other and I decided to attend the event and share my testimony.

I first met Miguel at the San Jose “Mock Graduation,” the event that was to promote awareness about the DREAM Act. At the event, there were dozens of students and allies gathered from the San Jose City hall and wore cap and gowns (symbolize dream act students), and shared testimonies and expressed concerns about our current broken immigration system that lies in this country. One thing that stood out the most during the event was that one of the dream act students hold onto a sign that says, “What now?” The sign, “what now?” clearly indicates the oppression and limitation of undocumented student’s future and dream despite of their hard work and dedication to pursue a higher education.

Miguel is fairly short compare to average men’s height, brown skin, and has a charming face. Compare to his age, he looks very mature and friendly.

Miguel and I exchanged conversation after the mock graduation, with couple of other DREAM activists around the Bay Area. I do not recall what we talked about, but I remember he wanted to get more involve and do something at his campus. Shortly after the mock graduation event, he has organized his first event in his campus.

It was on January 7th, 2010, I took a bus down to Cal State East Bay to participate in Miguel’s event, hosted by MECHA club (Miguel is a secretary of MECHA club).

The room was filled with students and professors, looking at us with anticipating eyes. The event started off with a short film called a “don’t stop me now,” produced by Educator for Fair Consideration foundation. The short film concentrates on stories of four undocumented youth struggling to get ahead in life. Although the film was 30 minute length, but it was a powerful clip that captures struggles of undocumented students. At the end of the film, the crowd shed in tears.

The emotional stage elevated as Miguel and I shared our personal journey as an undocumented immigrant. Just like other undocumented students, Miguel had a similar struggle story. Miguel came to this country with his family when he was young and graduated with high school with outstanding grades, and had dreams of becoming someone valuable to this country. By means someone who can contribute and give back to the society. However, he was marginalized its own dream due to the immigration status. One of the pieces of story that he shared really struck my heart. Miguel has worked as a janitor since he was in high school. I cannot imagine a young educated person mops floor and picks up trashes around schools, while other students moving onto next towards life.

The people were moved by Miguel’s story and they wanted to help his cause to change the broken immigration system.

I firmly believe that my duty as a DREAMer, as an educator, as an activist, is to spread stories just like Miguel, to educate other people and inspire them to mobilize and take action to make changes in this country. And I know that one day, stories like Miguel, will change this country.