“I profoundly believe in advocating for immigration reform not only because my life has dramatically changed, but because it pains me to see so much young talent being wasted and rejected.  For me it’s very difficult to accept the fact that many people who do not appreciate the opportunities the United States offers and who are not willing to become good citizens are easily given a visa, green card or citizenship based on a quota or their economic status while thousands of students, like myself, who are willing to work for the land that has given us everything, are rejected.”

-Liana

 University / Year of Graduation / Major or emphasis: George Mason University/ 2009/ B.A. Philosophy & B.A. Spanish

Groups/Publications/Organizations Involved with (in school and after): Council on Legal Education, Writing Center Tutoring, Alpha Lambda Delta, Theater Without Borders, Hispanic Student Association, Mariposas Mentoring Program, National Hispana Leadership Institute and many others.  I also enjoy coaching intramural soccer and volleyball,

How did you become politicized? I became politicized due to my immigration status( I am in removal proceedings). 

What got you to where you are today? After the death of my caretaker, my mother had to leave the U.S.  to take care of me.  She brought me when I was 11 to the U.S. 

Although I have faced obstacles in the U.S. and that I am continuing to struggle, coming to the U.S. has been the most wonderful blessing I have attained.

How did you get involved with Campus Progress? I became involved with Campus Progress through my wonderful and supportive attorney, Andres Benach. He was able to get Pedro to make a video of me talking about the DREAM ACT.

Tell us a little bit about your fight for immigration rights... I firmly believe that immigration in the United States is not just a political issue, like most people perceive it; it is a human rights issue.   As an undocumented immigrant, I am handicapped by the educational system and by society to live a life of limited resources and a life that little by little dehumanizes me into an immigration case number. I have to constantly be proving people that I am worth being in this wonderful land and that I am no different from them. I understand the objections people raise against an immigration reform, but I ask for them to make a genuine attempt to place themselves in my position and or in the position of 65,000 thousand undocumented students that graduate each year with no hope or with the hope that little by little will be deteriorated as they attempt to realize their educational dream of attending college.

What kind of opportunities and/or hurdles have you faced in your activism for reform and other issues? As I have attempted to effectuate change for an immigration reform, I have been terribly frightened and sad as some people reject me and demand that I leave the U.S., what has become my home country.  I am saddened that they cannot see me beyond my immigration status. I have many aspirations and goals, and all I ask is an opportunity to fulfill my dreams because although I every morning I attempt to wake up without thinking about my situation, I cannot because the reality is that my life has become a political issue which I have no control over.

What are your next steps? What's next for you in terms of activism or personal goals? I plan to continue having faith in myself and to continue motivating youth in my situation so that we do not lose hope.  As human beings, we cannot lose hope in ourselves to continue striving for our goals and we must hope that the people of this nation will make the right decision.

I just took the LSAT this past Saturday because despite my immigration status, I want to control as much as I can in my life. By taking the LSAT, I have made the first step in becoming an attorney although I do not know if I will stay in this country after my hearing.

Any words of advice for young progressives?  Do not lose hope!  Remember instances in history where people have suffered tremendously to attain equal opportunity rights and none who actually made an attempt to effectuate change failed. You cannot fail if you try.