I came to Spring Lobby Weekend to bridge the reality between the reality and the talk. I want to advocate for my people, my community. I feel a real sense of empowerment being able to talk to these people face to face and hold them accountable.
Being with this awesome crowd gives me a sense of unity. I am connected with other people from our state and even talking about linking our campuses to continue this conversation.
Politicians don’t relate the issue to a face or a real person. They’re detached from what things really mean for humanity.
Andres, 23, lives in El Paso, TX and attends the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where’s pursuing a master’s in public health. Andres attended Spring Lobby Weekend for the first time in March, 2018.
I want to prevent other families from being torn apart like mine.
Immigration is a tough subject for me. My father was deported in 2005 back to Mexico. Two years ago he was murdered there. I want to prevent other families from being torn apart like mine. They don’t realize that their border legislation is affecting Americans too.
It feels great being here. I feel their pain. I feel like the stories of everyone else are mine. I’ve found statistics that I didn’t even know about regarding this issue. It’s opened my eyes to a deeper reality. It’s helped me repeat my story, get it out there. And I sense that my colleagues here are grateful for my story.
Lobbying is difficult because I’m seeing staffers who are not emotionally attached to this issue.
I’ve made a lot of friends and felt very welcomed at Spring Lobby Weekend. I am an introvert and speaking to Congress has made me grow.
Vashti, 22, lives in El Paso, TX and attends the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, studying bio-medical sciences. Vashti attended Spring Lobby Weekend for the first time in 2018.