American Dream Essay- Milena Santiago

Milena Santiago

AP Language

Mrs. Brannon

17 February 2017

                  My American Dream  

What do you think of when you hear the phrase the American Dream?

Do you think of a place where opportunity and hard work leads to success? Where there is the possibility of attaining your dreams with no one there to deny you the right to accomplishing your goals? This is what every undocumented immigrant hopes for, they hope for that American Dream, as defined by James Truslow Adams as, ¨ a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement… It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”. Although the American Dream is in jeopardy for undocumented immigrants, ultimately,  the American Dream still stands as a sign of hope  to immigrants who struggled to arrive to America and worked hard to build a life in it. The American Dream is still a vision for immigrants, where each generation gets closer to success and where there is opportunity for everyone to achieve their dreams and goals. The American Dream will not simply be handed, it is a person’s responsibility to take the initiative and with great effort it will be achievable.

My parents were both born in Oaxaca, Mexico where at that time people lived in extreme poverty. My mother was born in August of 1976, where she was the second oldest child of five and held the greatest responsibilities. My mom tells me how it was always a struggle to wake up early in the morning and walk to school barefoot because my grandparents could not afford to buy their kids shoes that they would eventually outgrow. After school, she would come home and help her mom prepare food to sell in the street. Although my mom was always working to help her family, she always found a way to study. School was the greatest opportunity my mom could ever have up until high school, but after her older sister dropped out of college, that opportunity was gone. My mom no longer had the chance to go to college even if she wanted to. Instead of working at home and earning little to nothing, my mother decided to move to the United States of America where she would work and be able to sustain her family back in Mexico.

Although, the American Dream is in danger for undocumented immigrants who do not have the right to live in this country and take advantage of the many benefits it offers. For example, my parents do not have health care benefits, they cannot find a job the pay's enough to meet with the standards of basic living. My parents have worked so hard to build a life in America as undocumented immigrants and recently they are in fear. They fear that everything they worked so hard to build in America can go away in a matter of seconds as there has been various incidents occurring across America where ICE agents are deporting more and more innocent immigrants who have done nothing but want a better life for them and their future generations.

Undocumented immigrant like my parents may struggle to achieve the American Dream. However, it is my calling to thrive and take advantage of the opportunities I have in front of me.

I am privileged sixteen year old for having the opportunity of attending a free public school, unlike my mother who did not get that chance. I am able to use the resources this city offers with programs like Minds Matter. I have a community that supports me and a family who is willing to do anything just so I can achieve my American Dream.  

I love my parents and they are my motivation to continue fighting for my dream. I will always appreciate their sacrifice for bringing my brother and I out of that cycle of not achieving success. They have taught me to make good use out of every aspect of my life and to never take things for granted. My parents are my happiness, and I realize that the day I graduate from college will not only be my own achievement, but theirs, as well.