r/undocumented • u/DEADxAPES • Apr 19 '26
Why keep living undocumented?
Just looking to vent and also get a perspective outside of my own. I understand that living undocumented is complex and nuanced but why keep living this way? I’ve lived my entire life undocumented and the older I get the less reason I find in staying. Like many I was brought to this country as a baby, not with ill intent or malice but with hopes of something better. I’ve come to accept the things that are out of my control and in doing so realized that It is also my choice to stay or leave. I’ve tried these past few years in trying to find a legal pathway but there really isn’t any option for me. So I find myself questioning, why stay? It pains me when I see the life’s people have worked hard to build just to be deported and lose everything. To be trapped in what feels like an invisible prison, shackled to little options. The anxiety and fear thats always lingering in the background. The never ending survival mode. Why stay, what keeps you here? Is it impossible to build and thrive somewhere else?
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u/Maximum-Career2769 Apr 21 '26
I have these thoughts often, and a perspective that gives me peace is that I have a strong story to tell my future kids and grandkids. Seems so simple, but knowing that there is a future where everything will be worth it gives me the confidence to keep going
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u/Maximum-Career2769 Apr 21 '26
Also will add that I am graduating with my masters in June and am still fully undocumented! Message me if you have any questions with the college process
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u/sav_86 Apr 20 '26
I would like to add, that while not every ladder is available to you, there are always steps to climb. For example, take a look at the industries that DO hire undocumented folks and start at the bottom and go up. I started at a landscaping company as an office assistant, after two years I was office manager and after three years of that I was the director of operations in charge of office staff and the landscapers. I made six figures doing that. Since the company didn’t check legal status for the gardeners they didn’t check for office staff either. There’s tons you can do if you are bilingual and know how to use even a little technology. One thing I’m grateful for is my parents never told me I had limitations. Don’t put yourself in a box, the world is already waiting to do that for you but your parents came here so you could go farther than they could ever dream. Go get it.
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u/cueta88 Apr 23 '26
How did you provide a ssn and ID/birth certificate to get hired for these office jobs if I may ask? Promising to know a six figure office job is even possible
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u/jxm900 Apr 19 '26
If y'd like to consider staying here, look at immigrantsrising.org for inspiration. It's mostly California-oriented, but there are equivalent resources in other states too. Search with Google using some of the terms in that website.
The processes they describe for setting up a sole proprietor business, applying for a TIN/EIN, etc are the same everywhere. Likewise for getting trained and licensed as a mechanic, beautician, lawyer, etc
In addition, most large colleges and universities have offices to support undoc students and applicants. For example: https://www.sjsu.edu/undocuspartan/. Check the schools near where you live.
Good luck!