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“Immigrant Rising is like a lighthouse for undocumented students who sail a deep sea that can sometimes be very rough, guiding us safely to shore.” — Luís Antonio Carreon
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John,
My name is Luís. Growing up in Mexico, I was a good student. My teachers told me, you have potential, you could go to university. But shortly after high school and knowing very little English, I immigrated to the U.S. to work as a landscaper in a small town in Georgia. I still had a desire to study, but nobody around me was even talking about college.
Things changed when I moved to California. A friend of mine encouraged me to check out the Sierra College UndocuCenter. I found out I could qualify for in-state tuition (SB 68) if I earned some credits for courses in the state. The staff connected me with Immigrants Rising, who helped answer questions about my situation and figure out a plan. When someone tells you there’s a path to where you want to go, suddenly there’s hope, and hope is power.
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Now I’m taking classes at both Hartnell and Sierra College. I often stay up late to finish assignments before getting up early for work. It’s hard, but I always wake up energized because I love learning and getting to know my classmates. I love meeting other people who have their own dreams about who they want to become.
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Luís (right) speaks in front of the legislators at the SB 1141 legislative hearing.
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I believe that when more opportunities are open to undocumented people, all of society benefits. That’s why, when Immigrants Rising and the CCC Chancellor’s Office invited me to tell my story at the SB 1141 legislative hearing, I decided to accept. I felt really nervous going through security at the Capitol building, but the legislators listened to us and I left feeling like my voice made a difference.
The semester just wrapped up and I now finally qualify for in-state tuition! I am so grateful for the support I received from Immigrants Rising to get to this point. Immigrant Rising is like a lighthouse for undocumented students who sail a deep sea that can sometimes be very rough, guiding us safely to shore. I’m excited to see where my little boat will travel in 2023!
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Luís stands in front of the California State Capitol holding the speech he delivered at the SB 1141 legislative hearing.
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Sincerely,
Luís Antonio Carreon
Undocumented student leader and advocate
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