It’s my first time at Spring Lobby Weekend but I have lobbied with Quakers in the past.
I’m the president and co-founder of Dreamer’s Alliance. I’m a dreamer myself. I was born in Guyana and my parents settled in Georgia, where I grew up. My entire family is undocumented. Because of my legal status, I couldn’t go to college because I couldn’t apply for grants, I couldn’t get a drivers license so my dad had to drive us everywhere. I had no social life because my friends got to move on when I couldn’t. I took a job when I was 19 to help my parents out and I worked for 9 years. I always watched movies to get a window on this world. But I want to do it, not just see it.
I received DACA in 2012. When I was 26 years old I got my first non-passport i.d. And I was awarded a scholarship to study at age 28.
I love it here in D.C. I was in the shadows in Georgia. I couldn’t tell anyone. Now I’m seizing every opportunity and advantage.
Spring Lobby Weekend is energizing. I love when people care because I’ve been alone with this for so long.
Often, these issues are just rhetoric. But here at Spring Lobby Weekend, there’s a real human in front of me who can vocalize the issue. And my confidence has skyrocketed at Trinity being surrounded by so much support. I’ve always been outspoken, I just never had the agency before.
Sadhana attends Trinity Washington University with a major in communications and a minor in international affairs.