Undocumented. Unafraid. Unapologetic.

Name: Rubyd Olvera

Year: 4th Year

Major: Sociology, Minor Public Policy

Undocumented. Unafraid. Unapologetic

These words never came easy for me to share with anyone. At the age of two I was given a script to follow upon my arrival to the United States from Mexico, “ John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, California” I would rewrite in my notebook. This was my response if at anytime someone asked where I was born. My childhood was comprised of mastering English courses with my mother after her 12 hour shift while my father carried on his 60 hour shifts sunrise until sundown 7 days a week. As a young child learning English brought me integration into school, friends, and everything else any American child dreamed off. But on Father's Day of 2010 I was reminded what it meant to be undocumented. My father was detained on his return home from work and the title, “sanctuary city” suddenly meant nothing. This injustice rooted my interest in public policy.

My father was able to return later and he continued endless work hours in the fields, construction, and restaurants while my mother continued and enrolled in community college English courses. My high school career came to an end and with a scholarship in one hand and my acceptance to UC, Riverside in another. I was ready to start my journey towards justice at UCR. But this enlightenment was short lived when my counselor told me that there weren't any resources available for undocumented students and that as the eldest in my family I should stay stay close to home. I sought resources and narratives that would serve as the catalyst for my development as an undocumented student as well as one to set the pathway for many others. I returned back with resources to make my journey possible and shared them with my counselor to share with other students.

Today myself and many of my peers are reminded that this country does not want our integration with the DACA program currently as stake. As a recipient of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) I am given then the privilege to work and relief from deportation. Although this program is currently at stake and everything could be taken away, I remain resilient. I wake up everyday knowing that their is a community that fought for my rights to be here and that is my duty to do the same. I have the privilege to attend school and be granted DACA, but this does not mean that those who work in low paying jobs as our janitors, farmworkers, and street vendors do not deserve the justice. They are our parents, classmates, and community and their stories are just as valid.

The resilience of my parents and community, nurtures my own resilience to move forward and continue our fight towards justice and equality. I now rewrite and scream the words at the center of my campus... undocumented, unafraid, unapologetic.

#DACA #undocumented #whotellsyourstory #publicpolicy