North Texas State Of The Union Guest 'New Face Of Immigration'
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Dallas resident Ana Zamora sat just feet away from First Lady Michelle Obama during the President's State of The Union Address last night.
Zamora, who isn't a legal U.S. citizen, was one of a handful of people invited by the First Lady to share her story about her fight for citizenship.
"Not in my wildest dreams did I think writing a letter would welcome me to the White House," said Zamora, now considered by many the 'new face' of immigration.
Zamora's parents brought her to the United States from Mexico when she was a year old. In a letter to the President, she pleaded for help from deportation.
"If you have something to say, why not say it? It all starts with an idea and if you put that idea to action, that's when things start changing. I wouldn't have been there if I hadn't wrote the letter in the beginning" said Zamora, a senior at Northwood University.
Zamora not only had a ticket to the SOTU, but she met with politicians and President Obama.
"Someone told me, and it's been in the past few days, that now you can cross it off of your bucket list and I think this is way beyond the bucket list," she said proudly.
Zamora is pushing for immigration relief for students like her through programs such as "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival" or DACA.
"Why not keep someone like that? Someone who can provide for the economy and provide for America?" asked Zamora.
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas commented on Zamora's point of view. "While I understand Ana's position, it is important to note we're a nation of laws," he said.
Rep. Session said President Obama continues to ignore and break the law by circumventing the legislative branch.
As for Zamora, she is resolute despite any push back from politicians. She considers her work for so-called 'dreamers' like herself unfinished – and her trip proves it has only just begun.
"I will not stop until I have residency or I'm a citizen," she said
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