Colombian DREAMer’s Plea for Immigration Reform

By admin July 29, 2013 16:47

Jairo Lerma, Black Star News via New America Media

As a DREAMer AfroLatino from Colombia, New York City turns into Arizona at night because of Stop-and-Frisk Laws and my “undocumented” fears in case of an arrest.

Even though the Obama Administration okayed Deferred Action, it’s still not enough. My mother brought me into this country legally at age 7 because of the lack of opportunities for Black men in my country. After our visa expired we kept living a regular life; but for me everything changed.

I followed all the instructions while in school. I had good grades, engaged with my new friends even though I had an accent.

In July 2008 my life went from being an accepted member of society to being an undocumented man full of shame. I was born in Buenaventura, Colombia, which is mostly populated by Afro-Colombians affected by poverty and violence.

At the age of 7 came to the United States with my mom and sister with a B1 Tourist Visas. My mom was fascinated with life in the USA and always wanted for me to have a better education here. We returned to Colombia with the promise that we would return to admire that New World of opportunities.