Identity Narrative

My family and I sat in a cramped internet cafe filling out my grandmother’s immigration forms online in Barisal, Bangladesh (2016). I filled in information as fast as accurately as we could in our fifteen-minute limit. It ended up taking a few tries, but we did it. I awaited the response from the US embassy. Eventually, we got an appointment and packed up to head to the embassy considering how far it was from our home. I remember the exact moment when they told us that we did not get the visa. I did everything I could and helped explained what my grandmother should say and what papers they should hand in. I consider what has happened to me a failure and accomplishment which has inspired me to pursue law.

I remember standing outside the embassy gates on top of two large rocks waiting for my Mother and Grandmother to see if the meeting was successful. My heart sank when my mother told my sister, father and I that she did not receive a visa. I could not believe that all of our efforts were in vain. There was a line about a mile and a half of people with their documents in hand who applied for citizenship. I can vividly present disappoint on most of their faces. We and a hundred others spent hundreds of dollars alone on an application. When we called for a car, I remember not wanting to cry in front of all the families outside of the US embassy. My mother saw me crying and comforted telling me that we would try and try again until we can bring her home. I spent 10 years across the world from my Grandmother and dearly wanted to bring her back to the States with me as soon as possible. I consider my breaking point to precisely when my Grandmother told us that she wanted to give up and suggested that it would be troublesome to attempt getting her a visa again. I vowed to myself that, I would not let this failure break my spirit.

This experience inspired me to look into the field of Immigration and to help those who were in my situation. I am determined to pursue a career where I could help those who do not have proper legal care and give back to people who are not privileged enough to afford help their loved ones gain a Visa or Citizenship. When my family and I came back to the states I kept insisting my mother to hire and find a proper immigration lawyer as soon as possible so the process could be started again. When I finally learned more about the lawyer my family hired, I started going with my mother to meetings, so I could learn as much as I could. I remember analyzing the papers we had to give. I wanted to learn as much I could from the sidelines. It was inspiring to watch the how precise details have to be and the dedication you need to be a lawyer. I became secure in what I wanted to be in my future. My goals include graduating with a political science degree and eventually going to law school no matter how difficult it is.

I realized my passion for becoming a lawyer, activist, and I began to feel more secure in my views. I was known as the girl who shares too much politics. It has taken me a few years to embrace but once I figured it out I became very proud of myself. I realize how much work and years of education goes into getting a degree in law. My dream is to help families who are separated from their loved ones. I want to do all that I can to help. I recognize that when we first applied for citizenship, we only had an idea of what to do but did not understand the depth of it. After learning what was the correct way, I want to venture and see if this field is for me. I believe fully that any hardships I face in this journey will be worth it if I succeed.