Line Up For Opportunity

A few weeks ago I stood in line with an immigrant family outside a Kansas City area church.  The people in line were almost exclusively Latino and were hoping to take advantage of a new opportunity President Obama provided through a Deferred Action order.  I was both here to help my Latino friends and also to learn how Mission Adelante could help others in this same way. 

The Deferred Action order gives immigrant kids and adults, who were brought to the US by their parents and do not have legal documents, the right to work and opens the door for them to get a driver's liscense.  However, there are several requirements.  Two very important ones are an age limit of at least 15 years old and less than 30 years old and proof of finishing high school or a GED. 

As I looked around, I could sense the excitement this day held for many like the young men I was with.  One of them, Eduardo*, graduated from Wyandotte High School this past May.  He never thought about going to college because he didn't think it was a possibility.  He would never be able to work legally and without work, he couldn't afford college.  Now, this Presidental order opened the door.  He could actually pursue his dreams of choosing a career that he would like to pursue.  Now his paperwork is in the hands of our government.  Many others like him will be working hard to finish high school because now they can dream. 
*name changed to protect privacy