Fellow Spotlight - Esveidy Rodriguez

Hello, I am Esveidy Jazmir Rodriguez Melendez, a sophomore at Grand Canyon University. I arrived in the United States in 2006 when I was only two years old, as my parents were pursuing the American dream to provide me with a brighter future and a better education.

They held onto the belief that we would no longer face financial struggles and that I would have access to educational opportunities. However, the reality was far from easy for them and me, as we encountered obstacles while striving to achieve our dreams and aspirations.

On my first day of kindergarten, I felt extremely anxious about meeting new people, learning, and being in school. However, what mattered most was fulfilling my father's advice from the previous night. The night before, my father had said to me, "Esveidy, you are different from others. You are undocumented, unlike your classmates or siblings. And because of this, you must work harder than everyone else to achieve your dreams." I needed clarification on what he meant by "undocumented" and couldn't comprehend how this confusing word should impact my efforts in school. Nevertheless, I followed his advice diligently and became the best student I could be.

I always volunteered, completed my homework, and assisted my struggling peers. My father had asked me to become the best student, and I was determined not to disappoint him.

However, I began to notice this difference slowly during SB1070. This was a time when I saw my parents avoid driving and would instead choose to walk to the store in order to avoid being questioned by the police if they didn't have "papers." Hearing stories of community members being stopped by police officers or ICE officials at their jobs and being asked for "papers," only to be detained and deported to their country of origin because they didn't have the necessary documents, made me wonder desperately where I could obtain these "papers" to protect my parents. Aside from these stories, I would frequently hear about ICE presence at certain locations, stricter police officers in certain areas, and families being separated by ICE and the police. This caused me to experience a significant amount of fear and anxiety whenever I saw a police car. I would cry every time I spotted a police car while we were driving because I was afraid that my family would be torn apart because we were undocumented and lacked “papers.”

I also witnessed my mother filled with worry every time my father went to work and a sense of relief when we would all be together again. It became a miserable routine that my mother endured. She would pray that our family would not be torn apart and constantly anxious about what she would do if it ever happened. She would even walk to buy newspapers in hopes of finding phone numbers of lawyers, just in case we needed one someday. Additionally, I remember that around this period, my father's employment began to decline, leading to him working merely three days per week. This had a significant effect on my family's finances, forcing us to make adjustments. As a result, we had to cut back on spending on non-essential items in order to allocate money for essential bills. Seeing my mother constantly cry, and my father worry about our finances, I started feeling guilty because I couldn't do anything to help alleviate their doubts and concerns, especially considering I was only seven years old and lacked the necessary information.

Even though my family was confronted with the threat of being separated by ICE, financial struggles, and emotional distress due to our undocumented status and lack of "papers," we managed to overcome these obstacles by effectively managing our finances and collaborating with the community to avoid areas where ICE or officers were present. Yet I grew tired of living in constant fear due to my immigration status. It felt frustrating to be afraid of something beyond my control. I wanted to feel empowered and make a positive impact in my community, but I was unsure how to do so. Nevertheless, my strong desire to help my community persisted, motivating me to search for organizations that supported the cause.

That's when I discovered Aliento, which provided me with valuable knowledge about immigration status, the political issues surrounding it, and the opportunities available. As time went on and I acquired more information about my own circumstances, I gradually started to understand the implications of being undocumented.

When the DACA program initially closed on September 5th, 2017, I was ineligible to apply due to my young age. The program required applicants to be 15 years old. Despite this setback, I remained hopeful from 2017 until 2021, when the Biden Administration reopened the program. Determined, I diligently gathered all the necessary documents to demonstrate my presence in the USA since 2006, when I was just two years old. These documents included my school records, medical records, and various awards. With a hopeful heart, I submitted my application. Finally, after enduring a 4-year wait, the prospect of obtaining "DACA papers" seemed within reach. However, my hopes were dashed when a federal judge in Texas blocked the USCIS from administering the program. Along with approximately 100,000 other nationwide applicants, I found myself blocked and feeling utterly defeated. It felt as though all the sacrifices my parents had made for me and all the efforts I had put into proving myself were in vain.

Initially, I questioned if pursuing higher education was the correct financial decision for my family. However, considering my parents' immense hard work and countless sacrifices, I felt obligated to figure out a way to pay for school; my only option was scholarships. Not having access to in-state tuition significantly impacted my choice of college, as I had to consider which institution would be best for me financially.

Despite not having access to in-state tuition, access to federal financial aid, and being limited to a few private scholarships, I could enroll at Grand Canyon University. Due to my grades, involvement in school, and community service, I received scholarships that covered my tuition costs. My hard work had paid off. I was going to be a college student without crippling my parents financially. I could pursue my educational goals, and my parents could continue to support our family. I was filled with joy and relief.

Growing up undocumented, with no access to in-state tuition, driver's license, ability to work, or just existing without the fear of deportation motivated me to help others. I don’t want immigration status to be a barrier for others or my family, and that is why I want to become an immigration lawyer. I want to provide comfort, guidance, and information to the undocumented community so that they will not experience what my family once did. My parents believed that we would achieve the "American dream" of a middle class with a home, career, and life like my classmates. We have realized that achieving greater opportunities and financial stability is not easy and comes at a price.