It’s hard enough to find love, even harder as an undocumented
Angy Rivera, of Ask Angy, discusses the challenges of dating as an undocumented youth.
Being undocumented sucks. As an undocumented youth, you are unable to legally work or build a career that would allow you to plan for your future. You face roadblocks to do very basic things in this American life such as obtaining a driver’s license or opening a banking account.
Yes, being undocumented affects every part of your life — even finding love.
“There are many frustrating things about being undocumented, but maybe the most important one is dating,” says 21-year-old Angy Rivera in a video on dating as an undocumented. Her column, Ask Angy, is published on the New York State Youth Leadership Council website and claims to be the first undocumented youth column in the country.
When you hide your undocumented status from your partner, says Angy, they wonder why you don’t drive, still live at home or don’t get a better job.
“You seem like a person who has no aspirations or doesn’t want a better future for themselves,” says Rivera
This recent BBC video profile of Rivera and others explores the challenges to dating as an undocumented. It’s both beautifully simple and simply beautiful in the way it explores the added emotional barriers undocumented youth face.
(Photo: BBC video screenshot)
