We Are America

Carlos Roa was brought to the United States by his family when he was only 2 years old. After graduating high school, he wanted to pursue the military as a means of accessing a career engineering but was unable to because of his status as an undocumented immigrant. He now studies architecture at Miami Dade College. His mother died after a 10-year battle with cancer in 2006, and he has continued her legacy by fighting for the DREAM Act and immigration reform. Earlier this year he was one of four students who walked 1500 miles to Washington DC as part of the Trail of Dreams.

Find out more about the Trail of Dreams / Learn about the Dream Act and undocumented students

Montserrat Arredondo is a 18-year woman from Arizona who has lived in Phoenix all her life and is very close to her mother and younger sister.  Three years ago Montse’s brother Adrian was killed in a random act of violence – he was shot with their cousin shortly after returning from a trip to Mexico. With the new Arizona law, Montse is afraid that her mother (who remains undocumented) will be detained and deported, leaving her and her sister alone. Perhaps worst of all, they will no longer be able to share the ritual of visiting the brother’s grave together.

When the anti-immigrant SB 1070 law was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Montse helped organize vigils to protest the likely crackdown on Latinos – citizens, legal residents, and undocumented alike.  She continues to be active in the immigrant rights movement, with her mother’s plight always at the top of her mind.  Montse is preparing to start college at Arizona State in the fall and is planning to get a degree in social work.

Saif Khan and his family moved to the United States from India in 1993, seeking greater educational and professional opportunities. Saif decided that he wanted to give back to the United States so after graduating from high school he joined the Army National Guard. His unit was mobilized for several State and National Emergencies and then in 2003 they received orders to serve in Iraq.  Through the help of his base commanders Saif was able to take the oath of citizenship just days before deploying to Iraq.