My Story: I Gave My Scholarship to an Undocumented Friend

As delivered by Leticia Garcia Romo at the Immigration Reform Forum with Congressman Sam Farr, July 2, 2009: My name is Leticia Garcia Romo. I am third generation American. I was born in Salinas, California. I am here as a very proud daughter and friend.

My father works in the fields and my mother works caring for children.

My family and I are here to support Hector and his family. I’m happy to share that I too will also be the first in my family to attend college – Princeton University. But, I will never forget the summers, working alongside my father in the fields or my friend, Hector.

Many of us, whether you are a high school student, or an adult, have a friend like Hector. Some of you know it and some don’t. It could be that student that sits next to you in your high school English class or that nice family who lives next door. They are hard working, honest, people.

Congressman, I could’ve taken that scholarship and looked the other way. But, I didn’t. I believe in the American value of rewarding hard work.
Why does Washington punish these hard working families by defending a broken system?

Congressman, God bless you for trying to make real Americans out of hard working families, like the Rojas’, like mine.

Thank you, sir