unitedwedreamhouston-blog

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Don’t Forget the Original Dreamers

Javier Andre Huamani Torres is originally from Lima, Peru. When he was a little older than 15 years old his family made the tough decision to migrate to the United States. They had nothing more than the dream of giving their son greater opportunities. Upon arriving, his parents engraved in his mind that hard work pays off and that education should never be taken for granted. A concept that would define him more than he thought.

In 2007, Javier's’ uncle was deported. He was driving home and was pulled over for a broken tail light. On that same night he was arrested, sent to a detention center and later deported. Neither, Javier or his family have seen him since his departure. Javier was only 16 at the time and this rude awakening forced him to understand the harsh reality of being undocumented. Javier worried about his parents being deported - the constant anxiety negatively affected his performance in school. His worry and his grades caused him to develop apathy towards his academics, making him believe that he could never be successful. His mentality, however, changed when he heard about the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) among other resources for undocumented youth. This was all he needed to fight for his education. He improved his grades and became determined to further his education, even if it meant paying more for his classes and possibly not using his degree, due to his status.

Undeterred, Javier graduated in the top 20% of his high school and was accepted to the University of Texas at Austin (UT) as a mechanical engineering major. During his time at UT, Javier joined the University Leadership Initiative (ULI), an organization focused on helping and empowering undocumented youth through the immigrant youth movement. In 2012, Javier applied for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) the instant it became available. Due to the nature of Javier's degree, it was was important to have an internship for work-related experience prior to graduating. Because he lacked a Social Security number, he couldn’t apply for an internship, and could not gain the experience he needed. That all changed once he received DACA and was able to secure an internship that led him to a full-time position.

Javier currently works as a sustaining engineer at Schlumberger, the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management and information solutions to customers working in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Though he has achieved many successes in life he is still haunted by the thought of his family being separated, so he continues to fight for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and other forms of relief for immigrant families likes his. He also plans to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering to become a professor. Javier was able to do all this by staying true to the morals and hopes his parents taught him, because if it weren't for them and their sacrifices, he would not have been able to achieve his dreams. Javier is one of our many volunteers; he is a leader at our monthly DACA clinics and has helped hundreds of undocumented youth apply for DACA. When asked if he has a message for other immigrants in his situation, he proudly said: “Don't let anyone ever devalue you. Your immigration status is not a weakness but a reason to push yourself more than those who are privileged. Also don't forget the original dreamers, your parents, they sacrificed their dreams to make yours a reality.”

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August's DACA Clinic held by Houston UWD was successful! We helped

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"Don't forget the original Dreamers, your parents, who sacrificed their dreams to make yours a reality."

Javier, DACA recipient and Engineer at Schlumberger)

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Test 2

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Test

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Donald Trump: “The Hispanics love me!”

“The Hispanics”: Not really.

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If Republicans are faced with yet another “autopsy report” after next year’s Presidential election, today will be one of the days they point back to in regret.

“Go Back To Univision”: Donald Trump Kicks Journalist Jorge Ramos Out Of Press Conference

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Meet Ricardo, One Of The Undocumented Immigrants Who Works At A Trump Hotel

Ricardo is an undocumented immigrant and works hard at three different jobs — and one of those jobs is at a Trump hotel.

In an incredible video from New Left Media, Ricardo describes working as a busboy at the only restaurant at Trump Soho, and his subsequent reaction to Trump’s claim that undocumented immigrants from Mexico — hardworking immigrants like himself — are criminals.

“I am not a criminal. I am not a drug dealer. I am definitely not a rapist,” he says.

Though he cannot vote, Ricardo uses his craft and passion — he has a degree in photography — to give a voice to himself and members of the undocumented community in New York.

In one scene of the clip, Ricardo photographs other immigrants holding signs reading, among other things, “I am not a criminal.”

Ricardo also points out that while some Republicans have criticized Trump for his comments, many of them share the same kinds of extremist positions when it comes to immigrants, Latinos, and immigration.

“I may have an accent, but I’m not stupid,” he says.

Ricardo realizes the risks in going public — specifically, getting fired — but he also wants to speak up for his family and community, and that’s a risk he’s willing to take for them.

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#DACAworks #dreamers #UWDhouston #nosoy (at United We Dream - Houston)