DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act have been in the news a lot lately. Back in the 80's, this would have applied to me, my older brother, and sister.
My parents brought us to the US from Taiwan in the 80's. Soon after we arrived, we were enrolled in school. Unlike the school systems in Taiwan back then, teachers in the US placed more emphasis on free-thinking than requiring 100+ math problems completed for homework in one night. American kids had more time to develop as a whole person in academics and extracurricular activities. Kids in Taiwan seemed to only focus on school work and getting into the best high schools, although I doubt this is the case now.
My parents did not come to the US for a better life for themselves. They came here for us. They sacrificed for their children. It was a huge sacrifice because one of them stayed behind in Taiwan. For 12 years, my mom and dad lived on opposite side of the globe; one to keep his job so he could support his family afar, the other was here with us. My mom left behind her family, friends, and a very comfortable life to come to a land where she knew hardly anyone, speaking very little English. She was physically separated from her husband. They did it for their children.
If you ask any immigrant, I think many will say they did it for their children. They will say that they sacrificed and left behind much more comfortable lives.
After 7 years of hardship, we finally received our green cards. Six years later, we became naturalized US citizens. In 1996, I voted for the first time. In 2002, I earned a PhD in Immunology and dedicated my thesis to my parents.
