For Immediate Release: October 8, 2020
Contact: Gaby Rodriguez at [email protected]
Jean of Christian Brothers University 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 Jean a Scholar of Christian Brothers University:
After coming to the United States from Mexico when I was just five years old, I began kindergarten. From an early age, I loved math, and, in high school, I joined chess, cinema, and international club and JROTC. When I was a senior, I did not think there would be a real chance for me to go to college. I looked around but only saw a bleak future. Despite my AP credits, I could not find financial aid options given my immigration status.
I decided not to apply for any colleges and to enter the workforce and try to help provide for my family. I thought that I could save enough for community college, but, as time progressed, that dream seemed further away. With time, My parents and I decided that it would be best for me to attend college.
After searching and applying, I was fortunate enough to be awarded TheDream.US scholarship. I am currently studying at Christian Brothers University to become a mechanical engineer and hope to help my family and the people that helped me become the person I am today. After I graduate from college, I wish to enter the workforce and help create new technology that will improve lives.
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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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