Immigration reform activist dreams big
Lorella Praeli in Stamford, Conn., in 2012. (Lorella Praeli/United We Dream)
Nothing could keep Lorella Praeli from going after her dream. Not an amputed right leg, which she lost in a car accident as a toddler. Not being an undocumented immigrant — or dreamer, as she prefers to call herself, from Peru, where she was born.
The Do Something award finalist now works full time for United We Dream to help undocumented immigrants like herself.
At the age of 10 or 11, Praeli says, she moved with her family to New Milford, Conn., to improve her chances for better medical care, a better education — in short, a better life.
She first learned of her undocumented status when she was applying to Quinnipiac University. In filling out the federal financial aid form, she realized she didn’t have a Social Security number.
She was offered admission and financial assistance, but she says her immigration status barred her from receiving it. She made her case to the dean of admissions.
“I was very bold,” Praeli told Yahoo News, telling the dean: “I think you should invest in my education and you won’t be disappointed.” It worked.
From anti-bullying work in high school, her activism continued in college for undocumented “dreamers,” like herself. She started the Connecticut chapter of United We Dream, a youth-led immigrant advocacy organization.
After the federal DREAM Act failed in 2010, her chapter instead focused on a state bill to allow undocumented students to receive in-state tuition at state schools. Before she got involved, “There was no public narrative on why this was important,” said the 24-year-old.
Praeli shared her story and her immigration status with the media. “There was no turning back from there.” She added, “It changed many lives. Many people began to reach out to us.”
Having graduated from college in 2011 with a double major in public policy and sociology, Praeli, who has a green card, is now United We Dream’s director of advocacy and policy.
If she is awarded the $100,000 grand prize, she will use it to support immigration reform and to expand the group’s work from youth to the parents of the undocumented, also without legal status. “It’s time to expand the narrative,” she said, “To see a new face when we talk about the undocumented.”
The Do Something awards celebrate world changers aged 25 and younger. The grand prize winner will be announced Wednesday during a live-stream event on VH1 and will receive $100,000 toward his or her organization. This is one of five profiles of the finalists. Vote for the grand prize winner by text.
