A young Indian boy descended the escalator into new beginnings. All he could see was the beaming sun accentuating the massive sign stating, “Welcome to the USA.” As he entered American soil, a wave of freedom permeated the air. I was ecstatic to be an American. As the sun set, however, I realized that being an immigrant in America isn’t as straightforward. Despite living here for most of my life, I can’t feel at home due to my family's H1B visa. Since this visa only lasts six years and is extended every year, I have to nervously wait every year to see if I can continue to live in the country I was raised in. I was hopeful to finally achieve permanence after my family was put in a queue for a green card. However, this was just a dream since Indian nationals face a 134-year wait time for citizenship due to a nationality-based quota system. I will be removed from my parent’s visa when I turn 21 and have to find a new visa or return to India, a place that now feels foreign. This means that I have to restart the visa process all over and will continue to lack permanence. My status has also made getting a degree more difficult since I am ineligible for in-state tuition, government aid or many scholarships. I know that other immigrants face similar circumstances, even worse for undocumented immigrants and refugees. Therefore, I want to find ways to improve the broken and outdated immigration system for the 20 million non-citizens in the US. I hope that more people can permanently enjoy the economic opportunities and social freedom in the United States. Education isn’t just a requirement for me to get a visa and remain in this country; it is also the most crucial aspect of achieving this goal. I want to major in political science and go to law school to become an immigration attorney. When I pass the BAR exam and become a licensed attorney, I hope to represent immigrants who are unfairly treated. For example, I want to take on pro-bono cases representing immigrants being unfairly deported and detained in inhumane conditions. I also want to help immigrants across the country fulfill their dreams of becoming American citizens. Other than representing my clients, I also want to create law councils to modify the system by starting an immigration reform movement that gains mainstream attention. I also hope to spearhead legislation that makes the immigration process easier and creates a new system that provides quicker paths to citizenship. As an educated lawyer, I would not only have the knowledge but also the resources to fight for this change. I highly value education and will continue to do so because it is the only way I can advance the rights of immigrants across the United States. Education is not only a way to become financially successful, but it will also offer me an opportunity to finally give back to my community. Aside from a career standpoint, an education keeps me on a path, builds my drive, and broadens my understanding of society. Education is also an opportunity for freedom since higher education and specialized career fields will open up easier routes to citizenship for me through specialized visas, a dream that would've been left unfulfilled otherwise. Furthermore, an education is a way for me to continue to meet new people with similar interests and make lifelong friends. My passion for education and immigration reform will continue to drive me and help me achieve my goals.