A Helping Hand: The Road towards a Better Future

By: Alfredo Rivas

I’m Alfredo Rivas and I have been living in the United States for 11 years.   My arrival in the United States was a confusing time, but one thing I knew was that I wanted to be together with my family.  The thought of being separated from them would be like waking up in a dark room, where no matter where you look, all you find is darkness.   As time progressed, I quickly found myself falling in love with this country and everything it stands for.  I have made many close friends and valuable memories that I will forever treasure.  The thought that I could one day wake up in a place other than the United States is frightening.  That’s why Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) means so much to me.

DACA means opportunities;  finally being able to contribute and make a difference in this country.  It’s like the beltway system with multiple roads and exits, each of them leading to a different possibility and towards a better future.  As someone who recently graduated from college, with the opportunity provided through  DACA, I will be able to pursue a career and go to graduate school.  That’s what makes it exciting; the thought that a new world and unlimited opportunities have been opened.   Now, it is up to us  to take advantage of it.

After many years of waiting, it is important to remain patient and to seek out appropriate help.  That’s why I’m extremely grateful that Hogar Immigrant Services lends a hand to young people, like me, who are looking for help to submit their applications for Deferred Action.  The one thing that struck me during the process is that this is not just a job to the staff of Hogar Immigrant Services;  I could truly feel that they wanted to help me; I trust them.

With the introduction of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy and the help of Hogar Immigrant Services, I am hopeful that I will soon be able to contribute to this great country in all the ways that, for so long, I could only imagine.