Currently, 85,000 undocumented immigrant children are missing in the United States. Not only that, but the people coming in and out of deportation cases, about ⅓ of the total cases documented, are children. That said, -one-third of those are children, and 40% are toddlers. The most heart-shattering part is that these people are not guaranteed an attorney because of immigration’s recent change from federal to civil cases section. So now, thousands of undocumented children who are most likely separated from their families are missing, and those kids and other immigrants have to defend themselves in an unknown country and language to pursue a better life. When I discovered this, I knew what I wanted to be in my future career. I always had a thing for law and knew it would be a career for me. I never quite knew what branch until recently. My biggest motivation and inspiration to pursue this career is knowing my father could’ve been in the position of needing help to seek a better life in the United States. I want to become an immigration lawyer because this is one of the branches of law that the people in them need much help. Even though there are countless people seeking assistance, there isn’t enough help provided. That's what I want to take part in. I could bring a unique skill to my court cases because of my ability to illustrate and paint a picture for the audience, like making distinctive exhibits and visual components for the court that others might not think of. Knowing I could make a fundamental change in someone's life and participate in the justice system to help those who need it the most is enough of a reward. Although this branch of law can have many heart-breaking, despairing, and just rough cases, I know that if I truly have my head in the game and keep going, even if it is hard, I can do it. Many struggles are ahead of me, but one of the most challenging ones would be money. I come from a minority household with an immigrant father, so we have never had extravagant money. College seemed almost impossible without getting into significant student debt or taking out too many loans. But with the help of the scholarship, I can start building a chance to attend an excellent university and achieve my dream. Instead of worrying too much about how much money is required or if the cost is too high, my only concern is about the academic process. I've seen many students have to give up their degree and chance to be able to go to college just because there wasn’t enough money or resources to help and support them. I’m willing to try as hard as possible to ease my and my parents’ minds about all the college expenses. They have sacrificed much for me to succeed in school and accomplish everything I genuinely want for my future. I believe this scholarship would be a fantastic base to start building up scholarships and increasing my chance to be financially ready for a good education and a successful career in immigration law.

“Mami, Dad’s home from work!” I couldn’t hold my excitement back. My voice cracked at the sudden shout of the excitement of seeing my dad home from work. “What movie do you think he wants to watch after dinner? What about Princess and the Frog again?” My voice would shriek out. “Don’t you think you’ve already seen that movie enough times, Mija?” My mom would always be fascinated by my love for that movie. However, it always seemed to strike a liking to me as a young girl. Ever since I was young, my parents were often working, so the ability to sit and spend time with each other endlessly did not happen often, as my parents would constantly be working hard to provide a life they could not have for me and my siblings. Especially my father, so Disney princesses mattered to me growing up as it was one of the few activities that let me bond with my father after a hard day at work. Every second I got with my parents meant dearly to me because from 8 to 11, my family lived with my grandma, so it did not give us much time to spend together since they were usually working. Even after we found our place, I still spent my time in her care after school. So when we’d all get the chance to be home, a Disney princess movie was what bonded my father and me. It was always, “Let’s watch Beauty and the Beast, Mija,” or “What princess movie do you want to watch now?” But time after time, the movie Princess and the Frog became my obsession. I loved many things about the movie, whether because of the romance built up or Tiana’s determination. Especially the idea that Tiana never needed a man to come and save her. But, most of all, she was the princess of color that came from nothing. Although she was not my color, it gave me hope as a little kid, and even now, that I can do it. Just the amount of admiration I have for Princess Tiana and the movie Princess and the Frog is immense. This movie compelled my love because in the film, Tiana dreams of opening and constructing a restaurant with her father. However, because of her color and gender, she encounters challenge after challenge to make her dream come true. Moreover, just like Tiana, I have a plan too. However, this movie has given me so much hope and inspiration to chase my dreams no matter how hard it might be. To build my own life and be the best I can be no matter the hurdles I face. Whether it’s because I am a woman or a minority due to my Mexican heritage, regardless of those facts, I know I can achieve what I wish for, just like Princess Tiana was able to. So, if I had to say what my favorite thing about Disney is, it would be the way it not only bonded me with my father after late nights of working just like Tiana and her father, but it inspired me and gave me confidence as a little girl that I truly could achieve anything I put my mind to. It did not matter if I was a different color than others or if I did not start in the same spot as they did, but as long as I had the drive to, I could achieve anything and everything.