Today, Assemblymember Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) introduced the California DREAM Act, which is made up of two state assembly bills that could enable undocumented students to apply for financial aid from public institutes of higher education – the Universities of California, California State Universities and community colleges.

A few days ago, the DREAM Act failed to pass in the Senate. Once again, we were disappointed at Congress for playing politics over our lives. Nonetheless, we must continue to fight and hold on to our dreams because there’s a better future ahead of us. As my friend said, “we lost the battle, but the war is not over yet.” Indeed, our dream is certainly not over yet. In fact, we may be better equipped to push for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform in the upcoming years. Here’s the reason:

Look at "those illegals,” my friend said jokingly while he was dropping me off to the Bart Station. He pointed at two Mexican immigrants standing against the fence. Although it was a joke, I was extremely angry. Yet, I was defenseless and vulnerable. I simply laughed with him and stayed casual as if nothing happened. Once he dropped me off, I wondered if he would treat me differently if he knew that I’m also “illegal.”