I came north when I was 18, seeking opportunity and fleeing violence. Now the lack of a piece of plastic poses a major obstacle to me living my life
Above: sample licenses from the North Carolina DMV for residents qualifying under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
I was 18 years old when I decided to leave my country and find the American dream, to go to the land of prosperity and freedom where anybody could reach their dreams — “El Norte.” The North. Besides fleeing poverty I was also was fleeing a cycle of domestic violence in my family. So I left Mexico.
Crossing the border was an act of civil disobedience. Like millions, I crossed with the hope of a better future. From a painful childhood and emotional disconnection, I came to the United States in 2004. I still remember that day, January 2, cloudy and cold. I still feel the air touching my face, telling me of a new beginning just started.
I did not know that crossing the border as I did would cost me my freedom. To cross the border without permission means to live in the shadows, to be judged, and to be different from others. I settled here and from the day I came, all I have done is try to improve my life. However, it is difficult when you don’t have respect as a human, as someone who deserves at least to live with the minimum of dignity.
For those who haven’t been through this experience, it’s hard to imagine how much the lack of a single piece of plastic — a driver’s license — can change your life.
I live in Asheville, a beautiful place. However, I find myself in the difficult situation of not being able to drive safely. Not having a license limits my daily activities and my essential transportation needs.
This has a strong negative effect on quality of life, for my family and myself. Job opportunities, as well as my personal education and my family’s, are limited, as are our finances.
I am a mother. Every day I need to use a car to go buy groceries for my children, to drop off my oldest daughter at school and my youngest son with the baby sitter. With a driver’s license I would not have to travel afraid every day, thinking of the possible consequences. I get nervous just thinking that in the case of an accident, one I wasn’t at fault for, I could end up in jail.
I don’t want to live with this stress in my life.
My husband does not have a license either. “It’s very difficult to live, concerned about not being able to drive in a safe way,” he said. I see him leaving the house to go to work and for me, those are hours of anguish because I know what could happen.
I still want to succeed and continue studying, but I have many limitations. I need to risk myself much more, since I have to drive more often the more I do. For that reason, I have had to drop out of school many times after being caught at police checkpoints. A ticket for driving without a license costs the equivalent of a full week of my salary. This limits my opportunity to study to be more capable and productive for society in the future.
Not having a driver’s license limits my economic capacity and my husband’s. Without transportation we can’t seek jobs in other areas of Asheville. With licenses, we would be more productive and less dependent.
It also places tremendous limitations on my kids. They are at a beautiful age, but we can’t develop ourselves with tranquility if we are without a safe means of transportation. We don’t go to parks often, meetings or training to improve ourselves, because we are always afraid of the risks of just driving to our destination. This limits the opportunities of a plentiful life for my children.
I need a license. In fact, a driver’s license is essential for every resident, everywhere in the United States. North Carolina would enormously benefit by giving driver’s licenses to all, since we would have safer roads and highways, more independent people capable of contributing to the state economy, and happy children with the opportunity to be successful in the future.
We would have a strong state with a reliable economy to compete with the most developed in the nation. Indeed, transportation is essential to achieve success. Driver’s licenses for all would result in serious economic gain and improved potential for growth.
The solution to this problem is to educate ourselves, as a community, that the Latino community living here without documents should not be criminalized. We are a part of Asheville now and we strive to have a positive impact on society. The lack of understanding around immigration makes the problem worse. As community members we should take time to know the facts regarding this issue and how we can support people living under oppression; without basic human rights.
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Victoria Rodriguez is an Asheville resident who has spent over a decade in the shadows, undocumented. She knows she is not a criminal, and simply wants the opportunity to pursue happiness.
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