Friend,

I became an orphan at 8 years old. My mother, Zingha Natalee Taylor, had been battling HIV/AIDS for months unbeknownst to me.

Born to her in Montego Bay, Jamaica, when she was only 15, my mother struggled to raise me on her own. By the time I was five, I had already faced the horrors of abuse while being shuffled between different households.

When my mother passed away on May 17, 2001, I felt as though I had lost everything.

When my aunt in America offered to take me in, I thought it was too good to be true. But soon I was on a plane, heading to the United States.

In America, I thrived. My aunt and uncle formally adopted me. I excelled in school, became class president, and lived out what felt like a second chance at life.

It wasn’t until I applied for college that I discovered the harsh reality of being undocumented.

I learned that I did not have a social security number and that my future in higher education might be out of reach. I felt defeated, but I was determined to find another way.

In 2012, hope emerged through the Dream Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Like millions of others, I was one of the fortunate young people to receive DACA protection and a chance to pursue my dreams.

My journey was far from smooth. My world was shattered again when I lost my adoptive mother to breast cancer in 2013 – just days after Christmas and her 58th birthday.

I was 20 years old and on my own once again. I experienced homelessness, and I was still faced with the lingering uncertainty of my immigration status.

I lived in constant fear of deportation, separation from my family, and the possibility of losing the life I had worked so hard to build.

Today I am blessed with a beautiful family, a thriving career, and the support of a community that fights alongside me for the rights of all immigrants.

That fight is important, because my story is not unique. It is the story of millions of undocumented immigrants facing similar fears and uncertainties.

We live in a constant state of limbo, where our livelihoods are threatened by outdated immigration policies and inconsistent reforms. The Trump administration heightened those fears, and even now, under new leadership, DACA recipients like me continue to live without a clear path to citizenship.

I choose to use my voice to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform – a reform that doesn’t just offer temporary relief but creates a permanent pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and all undocumented individuals.

I believe that Jill Stein, who has consistently supported immigrant rights, offers hope for real change.

Stein’s 2024 campaign is a beacon for those of us who feel left behind by the system. She advocates for humane immigration policies, including dismantling ICE, offering permanent residency to DACA recipients, and creating a sanctuary for all immigrants, regardless of status.

Jill Stein also recognizes the intersectionality of immigration and climate justice. As climate change displaces millions globally, more people will be forced to migrate, seeking safety and opportunity in countries like the U.S.

Stein’s commitment to addressing climate change through bold policies like a REAL Green New Deal is crucial. A stable climate and equitable immigration policies go hand in hand, as many immigrants are fleeing environmental devastation in their home countries.

If you agree that we need a comprehensive immigration plan rooted in human rights and dignity, please join me in supporting Jill Stein and Butch Ware for President and Vice President.

For people like me, who have already endured so much, it is critical that we elect leaders who understand these connections. Leaders who see that our fight for citizenship is tied to our right to live on a healthy planet. Stein’s vision of a just, sustainable future – one where immigrants are welcomed and protected – is the hope I cling to.

I dream of the day I can travel with my children without fear.

The day I won’t have to worry if my DACA will be renewed.

The day my existence won’t be questioned as "illegal."

Jill Stein’s campaign speaks to that dream. Her policies reflect a future where I, and millions like me, can live without fear, contribute fully to society, and thrive on a planet that values both its people and its environment.

I am undocumented and unafraid, but I cannot do it alone. We need leaders who will fight for us, who will protect the environment, and who will reform immigration policies so that people like me can live freely and fully.

That’s who Jill Stein is, and I stand ready to support her vision for a just, sustainable, and inclusive future.

Thank you,

Leteria Bailey
for Team Jill Stein