On April 10th, I will make my voice heard loud and clear for comprehensive immigration reform. I will travel from the wee hours of the morning to rally at our nation’s capital and demand that Congress fix our broken immigration system.

Thirteen years ago, I came to this country from El Salvador because I knew that in America, it doesn’t matter where you come from, but where you’re going. I fled a violent civil war that ravaged my native land to come to this country in search of a better life for my family. I came to work hard and in search of the American dream.

After years of hard work, I am now months away from becoming a naturalized citizen and currently an active member of Make the Road New York, a community organization that builds the power of working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, education, and survival services.

Although the road has not been easy for me, I can proudly say that I have achieved the American dream. I live in a country where the impossible is possible, a nation of opportunity, of immigrants, of hope.

But not everyone has enjoyed the same opportunities. While I may be close to becoming a citizen, I am tired of seeing families needlessly torn apart by deportations. Too many of my neighbors and relatives live in fear. We need to make sure that all of our families can remain together.

That’s why we’re demanding real and just immigration reform that provides a realistic path to citizenship and preserves family unity. My community has suffered for too long, and I can no longer stay silent. My name is Maria Flores [receptionist from Make the Road New York] and I will make my voice heard on April 10th—can I count on you to join me?

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