by Marlene Peralta

About the author: Marlene Peralta is a writer for New Youth Connections.

Ihave many friends who are living in this country without legal documentation. Most of them are doing very well in school and have big dreams.

My friend Maria (not her real name) and I came to this country in the same year, 1995. She came from Mexico, I came from the Dominican Republic.

When we met each other, she was a girl full of hopes. Her goal was to go to college and become a teacher. I didn’t know she was illegal, so I thought her goals were going to be easy to achieve because she is an excellent student and earns good grades in school.

I Want the Best for My Friends—Even If They Are Illegal