While President Trump loudly voiced concerns about illegal immigration during his 2016 presidential campaign and his presidency, Lopez entered the U.S. illegally from Guatemala via the U.S.-Mexico border in 2019.
Lopez’s mom decided to immigrate to the U.S. leaving him and his grandmother in his hometown of Mazatenango, Guatemala.
According to DBS Publications, parental absence due to migration can lead to less direct supervision and guidance since their parents aren’t physically present to help with daily decisions, schoolwork or emotional needs. As a result, children might feel more alone potentially causing vulnerability to criminal activities and exploitation.
However, this was not the case in Lopez’s life.
“Not having my mom helped me become more independent, take better care of myself, and within me grew a desire to become someone in life,” Lopez said in Spanish.
Lopez shared details about his challenging and exhausting journey to the U.S., describing the emotional and physical toll it took on him.
“While crossing the border, I faced numerous challenges, but I was forced to learn how to cope with every single one of them,” Lopez said. “Besides facing the unknown each day, the hardest part for me was not having someone to confide in and tell them how I felt.”
Upon arriving in the U.S., Lopez reunited with his mother after spending years apart. He then spent three years attending Gary High School in Pomona.
The language barrier was his greatest challenge in high school. “I didn’t know how to speak, nor did I understand why people would speak to me in English,” Lopez said.
By the time Lopez graduated high school and enrolled in Mt. SAC, he was only able to speak and understand the basics of English. Since the English required at the college level is more advanced Lopez had to put in double the effort to master the language.
“That’s how I learned about the Dream Center here at Mt. SAC,” he said.
Through the Dream Center, Lopez was able to become successful in college. Now attending SAC for his third year he is able to speak and understand English.
Lopez now works as a peer mentor guiding and advocating for undocumented students at Mt. SAC who are facing the same challenges he once encountered.
He also serves as the president of the IDEAS club which helps undocumented students pursue higher education. The club also provides a safe space for students to share their struggles and find the help they need.
Even though Lopez is under DACA, a legal safety net that offers undocumented individuals a work permit and protection from deportation for a renewable two-year period, he still fears deportation.
When Lopez concludes his studies at Mt SAC, he plans to transfer to CalPoly Pomona or UC Riverside. Upon completing his education he plans to work for a company developing and programing software.
Finally, Lopez wants to encourage dreamer students to not to give up: “Giving up shouldn’t be in your vocabulary, nor should it be an option for you. Focus on your goals, and take each curveball life throws at you as an opportunity to learn and bring out the best of you.”