Fifteen years old, with barely any money on her, no idea how to speak English, all alone without any family or friends, in the most vulnerable state a young girl could be in.

Her name was Mary Hernandez. After losing her mother only at the age of twelve, she felt a heavy responsibility to make a better life for her and her family. At fifteen years old, the age where most girls' biggest worries were about boys and gossip, where a girl is hardly more than a child, Mary left Guadalajara, Mexico to come to the United States on her own. She left a note for her family about where she was going and began her new life.

With the help of friendly strangers that became more like family, Mary was able to find a job and a place to live. She knew if she was going to make a life for herself, SHE was the only one who could make it happen. By closely listening to the way others spoke, she was able to teach herself how to speak English. She worked many jobs and had to be fast learner, a trait she put to use many times. Eventually, Mary met a man in the Army named Arturo Hernandez. They got married and started their own family. This was my family.

This is not only the story of the creation of my family, but the story of many others. We have had the opportunities and lives because of those brave enough in our families to leave their homes in other countries to start new lives here in the United States. We have taken pride and are grateful of these achievements of our family members.

That is why the recent changes in our government sadden me. The opportunities that so many people in our families have fought for are being taken away, due to the results of one election.

It saddens me that immigrants are poorly judged on the basis of the bad actions of only a select few. If this were always the case, every group of people would have a bad reputation. So why should immigrants? The extreme and dangerous lengths that they go through just to come to this country should be commended, not condemned.

It saddens me to hear the people and children around me talk in fear about how they worry about being separated from their families if this new immigration policy takes place. All of the things people have worked so hard for, taken away.

In Donald Trump's Address On Immigration he says, "This election is our last chance to secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and reform our laws to make your life better". He refers to American citizens' lives when he says, "to make your life better". I am an American citizen and there is nothing I read in this address that would make my life better. I don't see how witnessing mothers and fathers, children, spouses-Families ripped away from each other would ever make my life better. I don't see how the hard work and all of the things immigrants have gone through to have the life they have in the U.S. taken away so quickly. We need to use our privileges not only for ourselves, but for those who need our help in times like these. We should be helping our immigrants, not hurting them.

If it were not for someone traveling to the United States all by herself at fifteen years old, I would not have the life that I live today as an American citizen. I would not have the opportunities or the privileges that I do. For that, I thank my grandmother, Maria Hernandez and all of the people that risked their lives to come here to the U.S. for us. Just like you have fought for me, I will continue to fight for you.