Freedom Ride: Rafael

The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride is taking place from September 20 to October 4. For more info, check out www.iwfr.org

Rafael is participating in the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride. He's riding on a bus from Chicago to Washington D.C. and New York City to advocate for immigrants' rights. Like many young people in the United States, he is undocumented. And like many young people, he is not allowed to attend college because of his illegal status. His only alternatives are to go back to Mexico, a country he doesn't know, or work menial jobs for minimum wage or less. His dream, to become a teacher, may never come true. Here is his story.

WireTap: What has life been like for you in the United States?

Rafael: When I was a very small child, I was very aware that this was not my land and that was not where I belonged. But I know no other place than this. I had a normal childhood. I lived a life just like any other person from this country. The only thing that makes me different is the government doesn't allow me to do what I want to do. Things that people take for granted, like driving, or having an ID, or traveling, are things I can't enjoy or take part in.

WT: Are you in the process of getting your citizenship?

R: I've been on the waiting list for years and years, and I know I'll be there for many years to come. They just have me on hold. I don't have an ID. I don't exist to anyone. I can't drive. I can't travel. I can't vote. Even though this is the greatest country in the world, I'm not a free person. I'm being held as a prisoner. A lot of kids in my situation are toddlers when we are brought here. We don't have a choice and are not aware of what is happening to us. We just go where our parents take us. I don't think it's fair that we're punished for the errors of our parents.

WT: Are you constantly hiding your status?

R: I did for awhile. There was a time in my life when no one knew my status. But I don't consider myself illegal. To me, illegal is a drug or an unlawful activity.

WT: When did you learn that, no matter how successful you were in high school, you wouldn't be able to attend college?

R: I learned freshman year. I had negativity in school and in my house. It made me want to give up. I just barely finished high school. I kept on telling myself, what's the point of going to school if I can't do what I want. I got negativity from teachers who would tell me that NAFTA was going to be something great for Mexico and that I would be good for that back in my country. I was encouraged to go back. I kind of gave up in those years because I already knew what my future was going to be like. The future that I wanted for me was not going to happen. I can't finish my dreams. Teachers give me hope -- stick in there, you'll be better than your parents. Then you realize that you can't, they won't allow you.

WT: If you had it your way, what would you be doing?

R: I think everyone has a calling in life. I think I would be an educator. Teaching is a very noble thing to do. It's a passion of mine.

WT: What do you say to people who tell you to go back to Mexico and become a teacher?

R: In Mexico, I have no family. I would be going back to nothing. It should be acknowledged that we have a right to be here.

WT: Instead of following your dream, what are you doing right now? How do you support yourself financially?

R: I do whatever I can to survive in a legal way. I clean people's houses and apartments. From time to time, I work at employment agencies or factories, where no one else wants to work, where they pay minimum wage and the working conditions are unfavorable. If I want to make an honest living, that's the only thing for me to do here.

WT: How do you feel knowing that your only alternative is jobs that most Americans don't want?