LITTLE ROCK, AR– At two years old, Luis Miguel Lopez came to America with his family from Mexico.
The family first moved to California. But left the west coast, settling in Little Rock and hoping to find a better life.
For years, Lopez knew in his heart to call Arkansas home.
Until one day, he got a harsh reality at age 15.
“Along with all my friends, I went to get my driver’s license. But I wasn’t able to because I wasn’t a U.S. citizen,” said Lopez.
Since that day, Lopez has been living like other immigrants, fearing the possibility of deportation.
But now, because of President Obama’s announcement, immigrants can avoid deportation if they were brought here before they were 16.
“I think it prevents the kids from getting deported to a country where they don’t even know the language,” said Lopez.
Republican Senator John Boozman doesn’t agree, saying the President has ignored Congress, the will of the American people, and the legal system in an effort to win political points.
Dr. Terry Richard works to address immigration issues, affecting more than 800,000 people.
“It’s not a pathway to citizenship. But it gives immigrants the ability to achieve the American dream,” said Richard.
Meanwhile, Lopez attends UALR on a student visa, which he hopes to use to better America.
“My dream job is to be the National Security Advisor for the Western hemisphere for the President or get a job with the Pentagon or the United Nations,” said Lopez.
