Javi’s Story Today

 

 

For six years now, I have lived in the United States, this country of opportunities—in New York, this city of immigrants—and some recent news worries me.

Is my government blind? Does it not know that we Salvadorians and immigrants from other countries are building the American dream?

But let me back up. The last time I wrote, I ended with my arrival in New York City. I thought, “There are many opportunities waiting for me in this country. I can do it! Everything is possible for those who persist!”

A LOT has happened since then!

At that time in 2012, I was not sure about my future. I had just traveled from El Salvador to the United States to find a better, safer life for myself, where I could support my mother and sister back home. I was sixteen, and I really wanted to continue with my education, but three factors made me think that would never happen: one, I was undocumented; and two, I did not know English at all. I had heard that in order to attend a school I needed to have legal status. I was afraid I would be rejected and afraid that I would suffer bullying for not knowing the language.

Also, though I was living with my uncle and his family, I was still expected to put money towards rent. And I wanted to be able to send a little money back to my mom and sister. My aunts and uncles told me that I was not going to be able to work and go to school. So instead of school, I went to work.

My first job was bagging groceries in a supermarket. With tips, I made $15-$20 per day. That was just enough for three meals and the subway ride. Some days, I made only half that. I also collected bottles to make a few cents more. For dinner, I drank a bottle of juice ($0.50) and a snack ($0.50). Yes, I ate many $1 dinners.

Still, I dreamed. From the beginning of my journey to America, I knew that God had a great-amazing blessing in store.

Another thing that kept my hopes up: my mom. Her prayers kept me encouraged. I knew also that my dad was praying for me from heaven.

Unexpectedly, God opened the schoolhouse door to me. I learned that I could go to high school even though I didn’t have documents.

In March 2012, I began the 10^th grade at Brooklyn Generation High School in Canarsie, Brooklyn. I was the only Hispanic kid–90% of the students were African Americans. I did not understand anything! I faced a lot of challenges keeping up with my teachers and the other students, but I kept trying because that what my parents taught me. By this time, I also had a new job as a bus boy at a bar in lower Manhattan.  Through all of this, I knew that God was going with me.

This was my daily routine: wake up at 6:00 am. Travel to school. Be at school from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Travel to the bar. Work from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am. Travel home on the subway and a bus. Get home at 1:30 am. Do my homework. Go to sleep at 3:00 am. Wake up at 6:00 am. Repeat.

And I worked at the bar the entire weekend.

Still, my faith in God was stronger than ever. If you asked me how I handled all that, my answer would be, “God is my strength and He never leaves me alone.”

I did not always understand my classes and homework, but I worked really hard to at least have something to hand in. I did not like being absent or late, because every day I learned something new. My teachers saw my effort. So, they made a big effort to understand my limited English. They came in early in the morning or stayed in during lunch to help me with my homework. I am so grateful.

My teachers then supported me in the process of applying for legal status. They came to court with me several times. I asked myself, “How come these people, who do not know me very well, come with me? I am an illegal kid, my English is not good, I have nothing to offer them.” But they came anyway. They did not say much but their presence meant a lot.

My future was still very uncertain. At any time, the judge could have said “Francisco Reyes, you cannot stay in this country, you can not apply for legal status, you must return to El Salvador.”

Despite this possibility going around my mind, I kept doing my best at work and school. I knew that God was watching my effort. I did not want to be at home waiting for something to happen with worry, crying and depression. I wanted to make something happen.

This has been my prayer every single day: I take a moment for meditation, express my need to God, listen to His voice, and work to do what He wants.

I learned that this is what God wants from us: to take the first step, to make an effort, and then He will open doors. I trusted that the government was not who would determine my future, but God would. His blessings are more powerful than any decision made by a judge.

A year and a half later, the time came for me to take the New York State Regents examination. I was very nervous, because I knew that even students, who had been born in the United States and who speak the language perfectly, still fail these exams. The Regents is not available in Spanish, so I had to take it in English. Again, my teachers helped a lot. I practiced every single day. And I passed all five Regents exams on my first try!

When I entered the 12^th grade, the Principal assigned me to be a “Youth Leader” to help other students at my school learn about the college application process. I also became the top student in all my classes.

That year, I participated in the Penguin Random House Writing Competition for High School Students. Many of the most elite schools in the city participate in this contest. My school has never been one of these. I was the first person from my school to enter. For this competition, I wrote my memoir “Two Sandwiches and One Apple for Six Days in the Dessert.”

A couple of weeks later, I received a letter saying that I had won second place, and the prize was $5,000 scholarship towards college!

And that brings me to my biggest dream. Months before my graduation, I saw my friends applying for colleges, and I even went on college tours with my school. I was the only kid that was not excited. I knew that college was very expensive and that I needed to have a legal status to apply for federal aid.

When I told my mom this, she said, “Don’t worry! God has big plans for you.”

 

 

So, I filled out the college application, just for the thrill of it. To my amazement, I got six acceptances letters! Yet, when I told my uncle and aunts this, they were so pessimistic. They believed that I didn’t have the money to pay for school, and besides, I wouldn’t be able to finish anyway. However, my mom’s reaction was different. She was so happy. She believed in me and trusted in God.

My teachers and principal also encouraged me to continue. They said, “Don’t give up!”

Because of my grades, I was invited into their National Society of Leadership and Success. In June 2015, I graduated from high school with honors and a GPA of 3.8.

I received a full scholarship to join the Culinary Arts program at Monroe College, a private college with one campus in the Bronx and one further north in New Rochelle. My biggest dream was about to come true!

In the meantime, it was hard not to become negative about how slow my immigration process was going. I was still undocumented and even with all these achievements, I felt like I was in limbo. My lawyer had been provided by the courts. Though I have heard that some of these lawyers are not very good, Rebecca was very dedicated and worked hard on my case. My mom encouraged me that God was working very hard on my case, too. But my attitude was very negative.

In my prayers, I complained to God that other people were getting permits while I was still in a position from which I could be deported at any time. But I knew my mother was still praying for me too, so I didn’t give up working on my case.

Then in August 2015, a day came that I will never forget! I got a letter from the Homeland Security Department with a card inside. I trembled between fear and expectation. My work permit with a social security number! Finally! My mom and I cried when we got this news.

But my immigration process did not end there, and Rebecca kept working very hard. In February of last year, she called me into her office, and said, “Javi, congratulations! My job has ended. You were a patient client, and I am really proud of all you have achieved while you were still undocumented. You are the type of person that makes a lawyer like me continue to work hard.”

In my head, I was thinking: “What is happening?”

Then, Rebecca opened an envelope and took out a card. She said, “Javier Reyes, you are now a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States!” And she handed me my Green Card. I was shocked! I did not have words, only tears streaming down my face.

I called my mom, and for a while, she couldn’t say anything either. I heard her on the other end crying of happiness. Now, I understand my mom’s words: “Don’t give up, have hope, trust that God has big plans for you.”

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Monroe College with my Associate degree. Then, opening the way to get a Bachelor degree, I was accepted to Merrimack College, a private Catholic-Augustinian college in North Andover, Massachusetts. Even greater, the Augustinian Order and the college were going to sponsor me and pay for everything.

 

 

God’s blessings have just kept on coming!

In August, I moved to Merrimack College. I was still asking, “Is this a dream? Is this true? Is that true?!”

At Merrimack, I have begun a new journey, a new career. I am part of the Austin Scholars, a learning community which follows the teachings of St. Augustine and am working on a double major in Philosophy and Theology. These were two subjects that I love from the bottom of my heart. After finishing my Bachelor degree at Merrimack, I hope to continue with my Master degree at Villanova University and later go for my PhD in Divinity at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

If you are wondering whether I am studying to become a Catholic priest, you guessed correctly! God has given me a lot, and I want to give a lot back. My dream is to teach and to work with the church to help those who have no voice and whose rights are being taken away.

One thing we’ve discussed so far in my classes this semester is the nature of the church as a community. We all need a community. That is how I have gotten all these achievements, not only with my own determination but also with the help of many people, to whom I owe so much.

I wish I could keep writing and writing, but this is only a summary of these past years. My goal for this year will be to finish the more complete story of my journey into a book and publish it.

To all my immigrants and undocumented friends, let’s keep working hard and giving our best, and not give up hope. A man in a government cannot determine our future—only God can. God loves and care for those who try and survive. Have faith.

And if you don’t have faith that’s okay, too. Just keep trying.

To all those who have followed my journey and have helped me along the way, thank you, thank you, thank you!

God bless the immigrants, God bless the undocumented, God bless the Dreamers, God bless our families, and God bless the United States.

 

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