I am the son of an immigrant. I’m the brother, friend, and coworker of immigrants. I am an immigrant.
I got lucky and I was born an American, but throughout my entire life I’ve seen my family and friends struggle with the terror of deportation and everything it entails. It’s not only the fear of being sent back to your country of origin; but especially the fear of being separated from your family, the fear of not being able to provide for their basic needs, and the fear of ending the dream of having a better life.
I work in an office where 90% of the employees are Latinos, all my family is Latino and most of my friends are Latinos. Understandably yesterday’s announcement by President Obama was very important to me. I know we were hoping for more and that not everybody will benefit by this immigration action; but nonetheless I have to applaud and celebrate President Obama for using his Executive Power to give hope to so many immigrants.
Obama’s immigration action will help undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been here for more than 5 years, who pass a background check and who pay taxes. I’m hopeful this is just the beginning of a long series of changes and that my family, my friends, my people, will finally will be able to rest at night knowing that tomorrow they’ll go to work without fear.
Please visit WH.gov/immigration-action for all the details on Obama’s Immigration Action.