Young people Tweet their immigration fears away
Jan 25
Wednesday, Mar 16th 2011, 4:00 AM
Immigrant kids have been flooding Twitter to take a contrition and privacy divided from being undocumented.
Last week, Melissa Garcia Velez, 18, tweeted, “I’m undocumented, gallant and unapologetic.”
The Colombian newcomer and Lehman College beginner wants to make a hashtag “#undocumented” a trending subject this month and get immature people to pronounce adult for a initial time about being here illegally.
Organizers have also urged immigrants to share stories as Facebook standing updates and have designed “Coming Out of a Shadows” rallies in Manhattan and a Bronx this week as partial of a inhabitant campaign.
“I consider a energy of a social-network platforms is amazing. Everybody flattering most is now on Twitter, even a President,” pronounced Daniela Alulema, 23, an undocumented Ecuadorian newcomer who works as a bookkeeper and lives in Ridgewood, Queens.
“We’re not vouchsafing other people confirm who we are and what we are.”
Alulema, now a core member of a nonprofit New York State Youth Leadership Council, initial came brazen as undocumented dual years ago.
She has been giving others recommendation this year. Her organisation cautions kids to take it step by step. Alulema suggests starting in chairman with a clergyman or crony before perplexing to speak in front of a large group.
“It’s always a small bit nerve-wracking during a commencement since we don’t know what to expect,” Alulema said.
“You feel like you’re risking your reserve and your family’s safety. Looking back, it’s something that frees we up. It’s some-more lenient than scary.”
epearson@nydailynews.com