Dear John,
I’m Hans and I am a Board Member at Immigrants Rising.
I moved to the U.S. when I was seven with my family through my dad’s H-1B visa. Losing my legal status and navigating what being undocumented meant forced me to be creative, from exploring careers through my local community college to waking up at 4 a.m. to detail cars. Some years later, AB 540 and the CA Dream Act went into law, which paved the possibility for me to pursue higher education regardless of my status.
|
|
|
Hans (middle) with his family before their departure from the Philippines in 1998
|
|
|
Back when Immigrants Rising was still Education for Fair Consideration (E4FC), I found a space where undocumented students like me could feel empowered and supported in forging our own paths while making a positive impact in our communities. With Immigrants Rising’s guidance, mentorship, and closely knit community, I was able to establish a successful career and pivot to sustainability and social impact. We have grown into such a huge community, and now as a Board Member, I am deeply honored to help shape Immigrants Rising to be stronger in ensuring all undocumented people can thrive. See my spoken word video below which I created to fundraise for Immigrants Rising.
|
|
|
|
Just Won't Do by Hans Miguel Esguerra
|
|
|
Make a monthly or one-time donation to support Immigrants Rising in meeting the undocumented community's needs.
If there is anything my life in the U.S. has taught me, it is that our community has the strength, humility, and power to be catalysts for change. The people and our work at Immigrants Rising are a testament of that. Whether through higher education, alternative career pathways, mental health support, or community building, we transform and adjust to our community’s needs at the time, and hold each other through our unique paths.
As we close out 2024, I urge you to join me in ensuring undocumented individuals can get the appropriate resources they need to thrive.
Persevering together,
|
|
Hans Miguel Esguerra
Board Member
Immigrants Rising
|
|
|
|
|
