Dear Friend, 

My name is Denise Chambers. I’d like to share a life update with you.

I remember walking into the offices of Immigration Equality so many years ago, filled with fear, suspicion and trepidation. I was paranoid that even admitting that I was an undocumented immigrant to the very people who were going to assist me would get me in trouble.

I did not know who to trust. One wrong move would be my death sentence back to Trinidad from where I fled.

But, as of this April, I am a certified naturalized American woman. I feel I belong. I feel safe.

The pathway to citizenship has felt long and tedious and, at times, without an end in sight. But all of Immigration Equality’s hard work, skilled determination, patience, and never-failing quest to assist me has been a crowning achievement of their work and my journey.

After so long, I finally feel what I had been longing for throughout my life. I learned to trust and have a better understanding of who I am. I have finally found that I belong and that I, Denise Chambers, am part of something that is so much bigger than I am.

After so long, I finally took the Pledge of Allegiance and was sworn in as naturalized U.S. citizen. I lifted up my hand and swore to uphold the Constitution of the greatest country on the planet.

Will you donate to Immigration Equality to help LGBTQ asylees on the pathway to citizenship?

Today, I get to say thank you. Thank you to all of you. Gracias. Merci.

As I conclude, I just want to share my personal thoughts. Immigrant rights are human rights.

No one wants to run—I never wanted to run—but in order to survive, I had to flee a country and a people that just didn't protect me. All I've ever wanted to do is just be me.

Today, as I join my fellow LGBTQ comrades who have benefitted from the services of this amazing organization I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to the founders of Immigration Equality who saw the need for such an organization and were willing to fight for the rights and privilege for individuals such as myself who are living in the shadows and are afraid to come forward and let their voices and names be heard because they too feel that same fear, suspicion and trepidation which I felt so long ago.

My name is Denise Chambers. Today, I am a U.S. citizen.

Denise
Client, Immigration Equality.