I have always looked up to my older cousin, Gerardo. He’s four years older than me so I’ve always seen him as sort of an older brother. Little did I know all of the struggles that he has gone through. Gerardo is a first generation immigrant, he went from Mexico to California at the age of one. Even though his parents were the ones who chose to immigrate, he still has to deal with all of the consequences. Around 2nd grade is when he began to realize that he was different. He wasn’t going to have the same experiences as the rest of his peers. Gerardo was in high school when things began to change. Around this time is when he was given the chance to at least be able to take care of himself  in the United States. He was issued the DACA which allows him to work and gives him temporary residency. He has to renew it every two years and if he were ever to get in any legal trouble they could deny him it.  However, even with the DACA he is still not eligible for most scholarships and financial aid, though his has not stopped him from pursuing his dream of going to college. He hopes that in the future the politics will change and give him a way to become a permanent resident without having to get married or through political issues within his home country. 

– CD

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant