Brenda Codallos, DREAMer
Tell me about your family. When did you come to America?
My family is love and humbleness. They came to America with dreams. My parents taught me that risking their lives was worth everything. They came to give my siblings and I a better future. A future that would have never been possible in Mexico. My parents came with dreams and they are living those dreams through me. My parents have tried to become legal and it has been a long process, which involves attorney fees, immigration fees, and immigration courts. My parents are trying and that is what continues to motivate me. I am the oldest of 3, therefore I carry a responsibility to make them proud. I came to America at age 4, knowing nothing of this new land. I lost the little knowledge I once had of my home country. I grew up to be American.
Tell me more about your childhood and growing up in America?
At a very young age I was introduced to a new language, English. I knew nothing of what made me different. My childhood was filled with pure innocence. I was not aware of my status, I was in my own world. I pledge of allegiance to the American flag every morning and didn’t realize I was not considered American to some. I began to understand more of my status towards the end of middle school.
How has DACA helped you?
When President Obama released DACA in 2012 I applied and qualified. I receive my work permit in 2013, I was 16 then. I was very fortunate to not feel left out. You see at age 16 everyone around me was obtaining their driving permits, I was able to be part of that. At age 16 everyone began to work, I was also able to start my first job at my local Boys and Girls Club (BGC). At 17 I was able to get my license just like everyone else. DACA gave me identity with possibilities I once thought I’d never have. I then took the chance and applied to a nursing vocational school in my district, I was accepted and began courses to become a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA). I now had a legal status, a social security number, a number that made me feel American. I became certified and after graduating high school, I decided to continue my education in nursing. Now here I am again, soon to graduate with an associates in social science, but with an unclear future status.
Where did you go to school, and/or where do you work?
I went to Red Bank Primary School, Red Bank Middle School, and Red Bank Regional High School. I now attend Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. I am currently in my last semester and will graduate with an Associates in Social Science. I am not currently working due to the fall semester, but I will continue to go back into the home care field.
What are your biggest hopes and fears right now?
My fear is losing the chance to continue living in America. A fear of leaving the streets I grew up in, leaving the community that has touched my heart, leaving my childhood. I fear not being able to continue contributing to the community. My hope is knowing that there is good people out there. Good people who are willing to fight for dreamers like I. My biggest hope is to touch republicans heart, to make them see that we are working humans with so much potential. The only thing that doesn’t make us American is our status.
What are your dreams for the future?
My dream is to become a Nurse. I want to do what I love best, helping those in need. When I began working at the BGC I realized I wanted to work with kids and not just in an educational way. Health care was the best fit for me. The way the human body works fascinates me, it is amazing to see how we’re one special type of species. The most intelligent species out there! The human brain gives us the ability to think clearly and make correct knowledgeable decisions. My dream is for the government to see what I see, the human species. The brain helps us all function and the earth is our home. We are all human beings and deserve equal opportunities to grow as a whole. My dream is to let us all become “permanent legal citizens”.
What is your message to other Americans, members of Congress, and the President?
I would like Americans, Congress, and Mr. Trump to look at the work all of us young dreamers do to strive everyday. America is my home, the place dreamers like I want to continue contributing to. We are willing to continue giving back. We are willing to go above and beyond our potential to continue making this country great.
