Word: life
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Higher education at places like Harvard offers a temporary respite from the undocumented life in the outside world. “This was in so many ways the closest I’ve ever been to freedom, to be at Harvard,” says Mariana, an undocumented student who graduated last year and asked that her real name not be disclosed. Mariana came here when she was eight years old from Mexico; her mother was sick, and they could not find the care she needed in their home country...
...even though Mariana says she cannot imagine Harvard having done any more for her, it could not provide a shield from all the difficulties of life as an undocumented student. Mariana knew that she would never be able to study abroad or get a term-time job, and while her peers were stressed about finding summer internships, most of them were not even options for her. “I was so bummed out to be here,” recalls Mariana of her first semester. “You can see what’s possible, but you know...
...situation her family was in, but explained that the qualifications for asylum were strict and he did not see their particular situation as a perfect fit. The family was issued an order of withdrawal and given 60 days to leave the country. “It felt like my life was crumbling around me,” Jaramillo says...
...knew that staying at Harvard as an undocumented student was something she simply could not do, both on principle and because of the dangers and limitations that accompany an undocumented life. “Even though I would be fine as far as Harvard, I would have no way of becoming legal later,” she says. “I would graduate and I would have this pretty, shiny Harvard degree and no way to get a job, so it was kind of pointless...
...Being undocumented is a life of constant fear,” she says. “It’s a life of uncertainty all the time, and it’s a life of no future...