Through Her Eyes: Undocumented in America
Angy Rivera came out with her big secret in 2010 in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Manhattan. Wearing a homemade white T-shirt with the word “undocumented” stenciled across her chest in pink lettering, Rivera revealed her truth for the first time in front of fellow advocates, bystanders, and immigration officials.
“I know what it feels like to not go to school. I know what it feels like to be stuck between two cultures, but none of them is yours...I stand here today and tell everybody: My name is Angy, and I’m undocumented,” the then-19-year-old native of Colombia said in her speech. The stunt was later posted to Ask Angy, her video advice channel on YouTube, where she regularly reveals how tough it is to be undocumented in the U.S.
Now 24, Rivera is the subject of an the upcoming documentary Don’t Tell Anyone, filmed by POV—an independent documentary series on PBS.
“I want others to know that our fight for immigrant rights goes beyond getting our papers, and for those like me, that they’re not alone,” Rivera told TakePart in a phone interview Friday.
Though Rivera no longer lives as an undocumented immigrant, having received her visa in 2013, she’s still very involved in advocating rights for the more than 11 million immigrants living illegally in the U.S.
Rivera is part of a generation of immigrants that is often referred to as the dreamers. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, initiated by the Obama administration in 2012, many young immigrants are able to remain in the country without fear of deportation by applying for visas and work permits. Her mom, on the other hand, is on a waiting list for a visa.
The young woman currently works for an advocacy organization for undocumented youth called the New York State Youth Leadership Council, where she also blogs.
“I’ve had people tell me that the videos made them realize there was someone going through the same things that they were,” Rivera said.
She’s also finishing up her degree in culture and communication studies at John Jay College in New York City. In 2012, a retired subway conductor paid $2,500 for her tuition bill after reading about her struggles as an immigrant student in The New York Daily News.
The documentary will premiere on PBS on Monday, Sept. 21, at 10 p.m.
As far as what the future holds for Rivera, the young advocate remains unsure. With the documentary’s airing, though, she hopes to inspire others to share their stories.
“Having the support of a community has really made a difference for me,” she told TakePart. “No one is ever obligated to speak out, but I hope others like myself realize there are people out there who love and support them.”
Related stories on TakePart:
• The Fascinating Story Behind Why So Many Nail Technicians Are Vietnamese
• The Renewed Debate Over How Cities Interact With Undocumented Immigrants
• Detaining Trans Women in Private Facility Won’t Keep Them Safe, Advocates Say
Original article from TakePart
