Interview with a DREAMER

Editor’s Note: This article by Luz Melissa Cortes Nieto was first published in our bilngual sister publication, Tribuno del Pueblo at tribunodelpueblo.org/ View original article at tribunodelpueblo.org/interview-with-a-dreamer/

Luz Melissa Cortes Nieto: I had the opportunity to attend a study abroad program dedicated to DREAMERS across the nation. California State University Long Beach Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos founded the CMSC (California-Mexico Studies Center), and behind his passion and the members behind him, the abroad program was made for DREAMERS like myself. I found myself in Mexico for two months seeing my family after a long-awaited 17 years. It was the dream of my lifetime, and along the trip, I got to meet other dreamers with stories to tell behind all their sacrifices, journeys, pains, and ambitious dreams. Here are two wonderful people who I traveled through the Teotihuacan ruins with, shared a Mexican beer while sharing our stories, and spent hours with on a bus that would take us all over Mexico City. Their names are Joseline and Erick.

“I can do all these things and be perfect,
But I don’t get to decide whether I stay.”

Joseline Reyna, 27, Grand Island, Nebraska 

Melissa: Before this trip, where or what was home to you? 

Joseline: It’s always been like a weird concept. People in Nebraska always ask where I’m from, and I must feel the vibe of who’s asking. And I’m either like, “Oh, I’ve lived here all my life,” or a lot of times I graduated high school here. Other times I say “Oh, I was born in Mexico, but I have lived here since I was 9.” It was a weird concept because I’ve always known I was from Mexico but I felt like home to me was Grand Island, Nebraska. 

Joseline: We left in 2005. My Mom was pregnant with my sister for six months. We went because my Father wanted a better life for us. I’m from Ciudad Juarez, and around that time, they started kidnapping little girls around my age. It was the perfect time to leave for the United States. My Uncle worked in Nebraska already, so he told my father to come there with us and that there will be jobs. My parents told me we were only going to the States for one year so that I could learn English and my sister could be born there. At the end of July of 2023, it will be 18 years since we left.

Joseline: I think the most challenging part is proving myself. That’s why I’ve always thought “I need to work this job and get more involved in my community.” I’ve always wanted to feel American; I work in my community by joining organizations and speaking up about my story. At the end of the day, the government decides my future for me. I can be the best in school, have a clean record, and never got a speed ticket. I can do all these things and be perfect, But I don’t get to decide whether I stay. 

I’m in the USA, but it’s this uncertainty I get to stay or not. Do I pursue a master’s degree? Do I buy a house? Should I buy a home in Mexico? It is all these things where I don’t know what to do. Sometimes I just want to run away and go to a random country. It gets overwhelming. 

My family supports me the most, and my friends, especially meeting someone like you, another Dreamer. Having allies helps me overcome those hardships; I have people who lift me. Yes, I live in Nebraska, and it is a red state. I’ve had some bad encounters. But the right people are very supportive. Once I open up and tell my story, people are usually supportive. Having allies helps me overcome those hardships because I know those people will support me.

Melissa: Do you have any hope in the current immigration laws/ pathway to citizenship through DACA?

Joseline: Honestly, no. And it’s funny because I’m very involved in everything that’s happening with DACA, and people are like, “Oh, I heard this on the news!” I don’t get excited because it’s been since 2020 I’ve listened to this on information, right, (new immigration laws) and it is never accurate. I don’t get my hopes up because they should have done this a long time ago, like it’s been ten years since passing that DREAM Act, you know; so, I feel like I’m an optimistic person, but I am also trying to be realistic. And that’s why I get anxious sometimes. Because I know even DACA is in jeopardy with the Texas court determining like we all know how Texas feels, and Texas is a red state. So, part of me is like 10%, hopeful, but 90% it’s like, I don’t think this will happen. 

Melissa: And last question, what is your biggest dream? Life, goals, traveling, etc. 

Joseline: My biggest dream is being able to buy a house for my parents and have them not work as much, being able to help them financially. And one of my career goals is being able to run for office. And I’ve talked to people in my community who  have said, we will knock on doors for you, and others say we will help you financially. And I’m always telling them, “Well, I just gotta get my citizenship, you know? 

I want to be able to travel and not have this fear, but I also think just being able to be a voice in my community, politically, Right now, I can’t be that voice because of my status. 

Joseline Reyna was born in Mexico and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was nine years old. Joseline graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with distinction with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has traveled to Washington DC to speak with senators and advocate for DACA recipients and immigrants in her community. She has written an OP-Ed for the Omaha World Herald and has done many interviews sharing her story as a DACA recipient. Joseline works for the YWCA and Leadership Unlimited in Nebraska and also runs her own candy business.

“Throughout my journey in Mexico, I realized that it is okay to simply exist, to enjoy life and not seek one accomplishment after another. Now, I am learning to accept that what I have accomplished is enough–I am enough.” 

Melissa: Before this trip, where or what was home to you?

Erick: So, to me, home is family. Home is always where my mom, my dad, my sister, and my brother are.

Melissa: Can you tell me a bit about your story? How did you end up in this country?

Erick: My Mother, brother, and I decided to emigrate on February 5th of 2005. My Dad immigrated a couple of years before and wanted us to join him.  There was a lot of poverty and inequality, that is why we were fleeing. There was also rising crime where I’m from, Veracruz. 

We left in 2005. My brother and I crossed the border with complete strangers, in separate cars.  My brother traveled with a white family because my brother was white passing and I crossed with the Latino family, and they have been given their names and a fake profile.  I fell asleep. I was completely knocked out when we got into the car, and the next thing I knew, I was at someone’s house. Maybe they gave me something before, and I was having trouble remembering. I was waiting for my dad to pick me up. I hadn’t seen him in a few years, but I guess I was comforted seeing my little brother with him. 

Melissa: How old were you during all of this?

Erick: I was six or seven, I believe seven.  

Melissa: What is the hardest part of being a Dreamer? What helps you overcome hardships? 

Erick: I have a lot of dreams… but probably my biggest one is to provide for my family. And travel everywhere confidently. Be able to retire my parents and give them a comfortable lifestyle. But we’ve been caged up. I was reading a story from another DREAMER referencing living in the United States as being in a golden cage. Actually, a lot of other people use that reference. You have everything, you have opportunities, but you feel trapped inside this country too. 

Melissa: Do you have any hope in the current immigration laws/ pathway to citizenship through DACA?

Erick: I’m aware of how everything is set up in the White House right now, Congress, House Representatives, The Senate, and the super-conservative Supreme Court. I have no hope right now. It will take more than online rallying to pass legislation providing a pathway to citizenship for DACA. Maybe the White House can sign an executive order, but you know, the Supreme Court won’t like that. It is so complicated. 

Erick Ponce is 26 years old and lives in Los Angeles, CA along with his family. His family immigrated to the United States in 2005 when Erick was only 7 years old. At the age of 22 he graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelors in Political Science and has worked for the California State Assembly since 2020. Erick hopes to continue advocating for Dreamers and an immigration reform for all undocumented individuals. You can find him hiking or at local community meetings in his free time.