I am the young girl in the photograph, reaching out to you for support of DACA. My name is Mia Chen, and I stand here next to my two older brothers, a snapshot of our childhood that has survived despite the chaos that war brings. A few short years after this moment was captured, my family fled our homeland after the fall of Vietnam, in search of safety and freedom. We found solace in a new country—a land that welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to rebuild our lives from the ground up.
As a child, I was unaware of the complexities surrounding our journey. Did we leave Vietnam through legal means? Did we enter the United States legally? These were considerations far beyond my understanding. All I knew was that I was following my parents, who were tirelessly working towards a brighter future for our family. Fortunately, we arrived during a time when America embraced those in need, echoing the heartfelt words of Lady Liberty:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Today, however, the light of hope for Dreamers is fading. Like me, many of them were children who followed their parents to safety, not fully grasping what legal status or borders meant. They, too, have come to know this land as home.
As our nation turns away from these Dreamers, I feel a deep sense of heartbreak and frustration. The similarities between my story and theirs are striking. I invite you to look into my eyes and tell me that I don’t belong here. Tell me that this country is not as much mine as it is yours. Where should I go? What place could ever feel more like home than the only one I’ve known? Tell me I’m less American than you. Or better yet, stand beside me. Lift your lamp, shine a light on our shared humanity, and advocate for those of us who call this nation home.
If you’re interested in exploring more on family journeys, check out this insightful post about couples navigating their fertility journey here. For more expert advice on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource from the Mayo Clinic is invaluable here.
In summary, I urge you to recognize the Dreamers’ plight and support them as fellow Americans who are simply seeking a life filled with opportunity and safety. Together, we can illuminate their paths and ensure that their dreams do not fade away.