Documented Dreamers: Apex student dreams of serving in US Army, but faces deportation

Imagine spending your childhood and most of your life growing up in North Carolina – only to suddenly find out that at age 21 you could be deported to a country you don't even remember. This is the reality for over 200,000 Documented Dreamers, including some students at North Carolina State University.

Dreamers are children who are legally brought in the United States on their parents Visas, but eventually age out at age 21. Now, local immigrant students are scrambling to find a way to stay in the United States by calling on lawmakers to expand protections.

Some of these local students grew up in Raleigh and have spent their entire lives in North Carolina. For them, this country is all they know. They are now navigating an unclear path to full citizenship so they can stay in the place they call home.

Sashank Sabbeini, a student at NCSU, settled in the United States at 6 years old after moving from India.

He never saw a difference between himself and US citizens – until a serious discussion with his family about his immigration status.

"First time I was exposed to this was in high school, when my parents told me I didn't have a social security number, and I'd have to self-deport myself at the age of 21," says Sabbeini. "I hope I can go on to medical school and become a doctor and fulfill my dreams."

On Friday, Sabbeini and two other Documented Dreamers sat down with NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross during a roundtable discussion about immigration reform.

"These young people are highly industrious. They are smart. They are creative," she said. "They are the best of America. and we want to give them a legal way to stay."

After a lengthy process, Sabbeini obtained permanent legal status through a green card. He now champions for other Documented Dreamers and says they all deserve a pathway to full US citizenship

"Having been a Documented Dreamer and having gone through these issues for 13 years, I know the pain and struggles that come with it," he said. "And I really hope there’s some kind of resolution."

Fedora Castelino, who grew up in Apex and attends University of South Carolina, is 18 years old. She dreams of serving her country -- the United States.

"I really want to join the US Army, specifically the Corps. of Engineers," she said. "America is where the American Dream is. My parents had such a big future, a vision to live in America."

But the American Dream feels unattainable due to her immigration status.

"I can't work. I can't get loans. I can't get scholarships," she said.

Castelino shared her story with Congresswoman Ross at the roundtable.

Ross said, "Our visa system is broken. When they turn 21, they are no longer legally here. They either have to get another visa and go through the process or self-deport to a country they don’t even know."

New York City is under a State of Emergency, expected to spend at least $1 billion trying to find shelter for migrants. Other states have sent more than 17,000 people seeking asylum from the southern border since April, 2022. At least nine buses arrived yesterday. The city has been getting five to six groups of people daily since early September.

This is due to legislation passed in US House. It needs support from 10 GOP Senators in the Senate and likely won’t be taken up until after midterm elections.