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:

APAP-DC presents AAPIs and the Urgency for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

By Erin Pangilinan

On Sunday, March 21, NAKASEC (the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium) asks you to march with us on the Capitol alongside tens of thousands to demand President Barack Obama and Congress keep their promise to fix our broken immigration system in 2010. Immigration reform is vital to making America’s economy working for all families. Our communities cannot wait any longer. It’s time to give democracy a workout and march together and hold our elected leaders accountable.

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.”