I’m the 3-year-old girl on the right, flanked by my two older brothers. This cherished photo is one of the few remnants of our childhood, as war has a way of claiming many memories. A few years after this snapshot was taken, our family fled Vietnam, seeking safety and freedom as the country fell into turmoil. We found refuge in a new land, which became our cherished adopted home, allowing us to rebuild our lives from scratch.
As a child, I never pondered the legality of our departure from Vietnam or our arrival in the U.S. Those complexities didn’t exist in my young mind; I was simply following my parents in their quest for a brighter future. We arrived during a time when America still extended its welcoming arms, echoing the words that have become synonymous with hope:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
This week, however, that light seems to have dimmed. The dreams of the Dreamers—those who, like me, came to this country as children—are now under threat. We had no concept of legal status or citizenship; we simply knew we were home.
As our nation turns its back on the Dreamers, I feel a deep sense of heartbreak and anger. I see so much of myself in them. Look into my eyes and tell me I don’t belong here. Tell me this country isn’t as much mine as it is yours. Where would you have me go? What place could ever feel more like home than this, the only one I have ever known? Tell me that I am less American than you and turn your back on me—or instead, light my way, speak up for me, and stand with me as a fellow American and Dreamer.
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In summary, I stand here today as a simple reminder of the struggles many face in pursuit of a better life. We are all connected, and it is our collective responsibility to support one another. Let’s lift each other up and champion the dreams of all who seek refuge in this land.