Once I was simply 17 years outdated, I needed to depart every part I knew—my household, my mates, my dwelling.
I grew up in North Kurdistan, the place my individuals reside below Turkish occupation. In consequence, my identification and political views had been harmful. I grew to become a goal of the Turkish authorities for standing up for my individuals, and for our rights. Talking out meant dealing with threats, violence, and even imprisonment. I used to be continually fearful about whether or not I’d be focused by the federal government subsequent. I didn’t wish to reside in concern anymore. So, with nothing however a bag of garments and a coronary heart stuffed with hope, I left my dwelling to hunt security and stability.
I got here to the USA alone, with out household or anybody to show to. I used to be a youngster attempting to determine how you can survive in a spot that felt prefer it would possibly swallow me complete. However what scared me probably the most wasn’t being alone—it was the uncertainty. It was not realizing how I’d make it, not realizing if I might keep protected, not realizing if I’d have a future. Within the American immigration system, I’m referred to as an “unaccompanied minor.”
I didn’t have the posh of getting somebody to information me via the immigration course of. The immigration authorized system felt like an impenetrable wall. I didn’t know the place to go, who to belief, or how you can even start. The loneliness was overwhelming. There have been nights once I questioned if I had made a mistake, if I used to be too removed from dwelling, too removed from security.
However then, one thing shifted inside me. I spotted that if nobody was going to assist me, I had to assist myself. I made a decision I’d combat—not only for me, however for each lonely, scared, and misplaced immigrant who felt the best way I did. I made a decision that once I grew up, I’d turn into an immigration lawyer. I needed to be the particular person I couldn’t discover once I wanted assist, who would stand beside those that had nobody else, and assist them discover hope once they couldn’t see it.
In the present day, at 19 years outdated, I’m nonetheless a highschool pupil. I’m doing every part I can to keep up my grades and put together for the long run. Day-after-day, I work a bit of tougher, as a result of I do know that my dream is larger than simply me. It’s in regards to the individuals I’ll in the future assist—those who come to this nation in search of security and a greater life, similar to I did. I wish to be the lawyer who holds their hand via the robust occasions, who helps them navigate the system when it feels unattainable, who listens to their tales and fights for them with every part I’ve.
My journey hasn’t been straightforward, nevertheless it’s made me stronger. It made me consider that irrespective of the place you come from or what you’ve been via, you deserve an opportunity to reside a lifetime of dignity and freedom.
Lately, I used to be launched to a company referred to as the New York Immigration Coalition. They’re at present combating for 2 payments to move within the state legislature –the Entry to Illustration Act and the BUILD Act. I traveled from my dwelling to Albany with them to combat for these payments, assembly with Meeting Members and Senators and telling my story at a rally within the State Capitol.
These items of laws are what individuals like me in New York desperately want, which is assured authorized counsel in immigration court docket. For 2 years, I couldn’t discover a lawyer who might tackle my asylum case. I’m grateful to the group who helped me discover an awesome lawyer, however I shouldn’t have been navigating this method alone for thus lengthy. This laws would have created a a lot simpler pathway to search out authorized help, and would create the right infrastructure for immigration authorized providers in New York to offer the assistance that others like me have to navigate an advanced immigration authorized system.
Each morning, as the varsity day begins, I stand with my classmates to pledge allegiance to a rustic that guarantees “liberty and justice for all.” These phrases are a name to motion, a reminder of the beliefs this nation strives to uphold.
I maintain onto the assumption that liberty and justice usually are not simply beliefs however rights I’ll declare right here in America. At some point, I’ll stand alongside others who’ve walked an analogous path, guiding them towards the protection and hope that I’m nonetheless combating to safe for myself.
—-
Author : newyork-news
Publish date : 2025-04-02 16:22:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.