I commit to actively working to dispel negative and harmful stigmas and mindsets surrounding the plight of the documented and undocumented immigrant, specifically of Latin American origin, as well as work to empower them to make change. To do this, I will hold an informational forum on my campus, addressing the adversity and discrimination inherent in the current system. In addition, the forum will address different reasons why people choose to immigrate to the United States, and what they do when they are here. This will inform students and, hopefully, inspire them to do things like volunteering to help register immigrants to vote.

Goals

I want to raise awareness on my campus to the hardships faced by documented and undocumented immigrants. One of the main things I can contribute is the language of acceptance and tolerance, the mind frame of understanding and compassion, which is missing in the general public on this issue. With the election later this year, we are at a critical point of educating the American public, and I would say, specifically my generation, on the real motives for immigration as well as the true struggles and abuses immigrants still face in this country.

I will help immigrants in the Chicagoland area, by encouraging and helping them to register to vote and become active in local politics, through the work done by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). In the last couple of years, a huge push for voter turnout among immigrants has lead to an increase in the chance for change and reform. I would dedicate my summer to participating with this nonprofit, and contributing what I learn at the conference. In turn, I would also try to get my campus involved in registering immigrants to vote.

Plan

In working with the ICIRR, I hope to continue my education on the issues as well as volunteer in different areas like promoting voter registration among new citizens and helping immigrants fill out their applications for citizenship. I would also raise awareness on my campus to the realities of immigration, dispelling negative ideologies that create divisive discourse like “the Latin Invasion” by talking to people and creating channels and partnerships on my campus with the numerous Nonprofits already in place in the Chicagoland area. I can use my Spanish-speaking skills to better work with immigrants in the process of registering them to vote and applying for citizenship.