For Immediate Release: September 17, 2020
Contact: Gaby Rodriguez at [email protected]
Anderson of San Antonio College is TheDream.US’ “DREAMer of the Week”
Washington, DC – TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college access and success program for undocumented immigrant youth, is continuing its “DREAMer of the Week” feature – a weekly profile of a TheDream.US Scholar whose story offers a powerful example of the incalculable contributions of DREAMers to America.
This week’s DREAMer is Anderson a Scholar of San Antonio College:
For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with the fear of being undocumented- always looking over my shoulder and knowing it would be very difficult for me to achieve my dreams. Because of TheDream.US, I am the first person in my family to go to college, and I am so proud to create this legacy with them by my side. To all the other DREAMers, my advice is simple: don’t give up. No matter how many obstacles are put in front of you. I’ve had every excuse to give up, but I want to make the most of my life and be there for my family. TheDream.US scholarship is helping me do just that.
My mother has a middle school education from Honduras, so she understands firsthand the importance of education. Here, she cleans houses to provide for our family. I am proud of this life she has provided us.
When I was three, my mother decided she wanted a better life for me and my sister, so, along with my grandfather, we made the long journey from Honduras to the United States. I don’t remember much of the trip, but I do remember my grandfather took turns carrying me and my little sister on his shoulder, so we could rest. As soon as we made it to the border, our grandfather was deported. We were and are heartbroken. If it weren’t for him, I doubt we would’ve made it. It was a hard and horrible journey. When we were in ICE custody, I caught a terrible fever, and all we had to cover ourselves were foil sheets.
I felt really out of place in America at first. I was labeled an outcast because I didn’t know how to read or write in English. But, that changed when I found sports: football, soccer, and cross country. Those teammates turned into best friends and, in high school, I was elected to student council.
Through it all my family has always been there for me, so home is wherever my family is. San Antonio College is far from my family and that’s really hard for me. But, I also worked hard for my dreams, and I know San Antonio is the best choice for me to become a physical therapist and take care of my family and my community.
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TheDream.US has provided over 6,500 college scholarships to DREAMers at more than 70 partner colleges in 16 states and Washington, DC.
The Scholars’ stories are especially powerful and poignant following the Supreme Court oral arguments on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an executive action, which provided temporary legal protection for undocumented youth, terminated by President Trump in September 2017. The legal limbo and uncertainty is affecting Scholars’ lives, health, and futures and threatens to keep Scholars from fulfilling their incredible potential.
- Read through TheDream.US Scholar story-bank, featuring powerful personal reflections from Scholars about their lives, journeys, and future goals here
- Hear from two TheDream.US graduates, now working as a teacher and a nurse, discussing the impact of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program online here
- Watch a new video featuring TheDream.US college graduates online here
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