Hiding in plain sight -- my life as an undocumented American | Leezia Dhalla | TEDxSanAntonio
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- čas přidán 12. 11. 2014
- This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. An executive communications specialist at Rackspace Hosting, Leezia oversees the company's speaker’s bureau for the Americas region. She is a first-generation American, of African and Indian descent, who immigrated to Texas from Canada in 1996. Leezia's interest in writing and foreign affairs led her to Northwestern University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. Leezia is also the weekend cops reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and serves as secretary of the SA2020 Commission on Education. As a news reporter, her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and the San Antonio Express-News, among other media. In April 2014, Leezia’s research with Northwestern University’s Medill Innocence Project, a journalism think tank that investigates cases of potentially wrongful convictions, contributed to the release of an inmate who spent nine years incarcerated in an Illinois prison. Her work helped Medill to win the Investigative Reporters & Editors Award and the Peter Lisagor Award for best online feature story.
An executive communications specialist at Rackspace Hosting, Leezia oversees the company's speaker’s bureau for the Americas region. She is a first-generation American, of African and Indian descent, who immigrated to Texas from Canada in 1996. Leezia's interest in writing and foreign affairs led her to Northwestern University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. Leezia is also the weekend cops reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and serves as secretary of the SA2020 Commission on Education. As a news reporter, her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and the San Antonio Express-News, among other media. In April 2014, Leezia’s research with Northwestern University’s Medill Innocence Project, a journalism think tank that investigates cases of potentially wrongful convictions, contributed to the release of an inmate who spent nine years incarcerated in an Illinois prison. Her work helped Medill to win the Investigative Reporters & Editors Award and the Peter Lisagor Award for best online feature story.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
"do it legally and you'll be fine" did you guys not watch this whole thing? it takes YEARS for someone to legally be here. We need to change our immigration policies
She should not have ever entered the country.
@@theautisticpage missing the point completely my guy
Your speech has made me cry. Very touching.
You have already been here for many years and deserve to receive citizenship for the great contribution that your parents have made to this great nation. I have no doubt that your parents have been tireless workers. Good luck in everything you do.
It all comes down to what family you are born into! it be just as easy for anyone else to be in her situation if they would have been born in that family. I do feela lot of empathy for children who are stuck being undocumented here and going through the school system and graduating but then not being able to have the same opportunities as others just because of the family they were born into. her story makes sense to me, her family kept her expired visa a secret from her because they didnt want to hurt her and little did she know just the true extent of her reality.... its astonishing to me. I would hate to be in her circumstance thats why i believe in the dreamers act and they should pave the way to citizenship. I heard that it takes years and years to be approved to be a permanent resident and people get stuck waiting and waiting. I dont think i could live my life here being undocumented and trying to jump through all those hurdles... they are soooo strong and resilient for being able to do that... and for those who say just go back to your country, its not easy going back to poverty, violence, hunger etc...
Eye opening! I was recently rear ended. The police did not show up to the accident. I told them to please come because no one spoke English, had drivers licenses and the main person causing the accident had zero ID...I assume on purpose. Now I’m left holding the repair bill for my car. Money I don’t have! It makes me angry. Everyone runs around complaining about illegal aliens costing us money but how are they supposed to get car insurance, a drivers license etc? Bu us not trying to remedy the situation and rising up together we are pulling one another down!
Easy solution, just deport them so they won't be on our street? They should not be here at the first place. Duhh
This is one of the most inspiring and courageous talks we've seen. We will share Leezia's story with as many people as I can in the hopes that they too feel compassion and understanding of a complex and polarizing issue in American Politics today.
reforms are there to fix flaws in the system, not to eradicate the system altogether. She's not asking for a citizenship to be handed to her or to her family, she's asking for reforms so she can have a way to do things legally and properly.
It's easy to just say that she and her family should move back to canada and restart the long process all over again, but if it were that simple, they probably would have.
You don't just break laws and ask them to be reformed because you didn't want to follow the laws in the first place.
Oh, so are you trying to imply that we don't have a legal immigration system?! WTF???!!
So few people have watched the video. She's literally asking for a way to get in line. Yet so many commenters are acting like she wants to be handed all their money or something.
Aria Clements SG was
The Dreamers should STAY!!! IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT, THEY ARE AMERICANS. WE need to STOP Illegal immigration. So that NOBODY ELSE has to go thru this. As a citizen, they can legally apply for a family member
"eat your veggies and you can be anything you want." - Leeza Dhalla
😭😭
if this girl is not an American and I don't know whonelse would be.
her English, her feelings for the USA, her honesty, her integrity. It is not only her voice but everything, her every fiber of her body, her heart, her soul, her spirit, her mind, her entire being and her entire life speak American.
Antonio, the extreme 18 wheeler
that's it. I was looking for that comment. And I finally found it. Wish that people could be like you ❤️💕
"Did you know that none of our founders were born American?" I'll just leave this one here..
Leave it. It shows your stupity and the stupidity of those following this nonsense.
And it was called the Americans since Columbus. So they were all Americans.
"America" is TWO CONTINENTS - NORTH & SOUTH! If you were born on either continent YOU ALREADY ARE an American.
The same way that all Countries on the Asian continent are "ASIAN" (like Russia, Egypt, the UAE & Israel ).
Legal - Illegal? Who gave anyone the "Authority" to make laws? Oh that's right - No One! They simply Asserted their viewpoint, made up rules to support THEIR dominance.
However, this is ALL a distraction because the Very People that make these laws are criminals themselves as they are all part of private corporations, acting under the guise of a government.
Every law enforcement agency, every branch of government all have Dun & Bradstreet numbers, which is created for "Corporations" to do business with each other.
We should be focused on why these alleged governments exist and challenged the very Foundation of their being, as it is the banks who have set this up to control the money to control the masses.
The entire world as governments, their systems including banking, infrastructure, Etc are all the grandest illusions have reality that the world has ever seen. New paragraph. The Architects behind the TED Talks. Kalitta clean motivated with an enchanter can I do not support them any longer, as TED blocks intelligent people who challenge reality as TED is CLEARLY focused on a specific - THEIR GLOBALIST narrative.
"Illegals" who bring harm, crime and disease to ANY country are suspect - just the Same Way those who have asserted their authority by decades and centuries of deception. BOTH need to be Remedied. We Veterans of Military Intelligence and Analysts who have dug DEEP into HOW our Governments, banks, laws and societies were created, propagated by Propaganda, more clearly (albeit not perfectly) understand these complex issues.
@@sterlingmichaels I think you replied to the wrong post here sir. Read it again.
@@leecharlesprochazka8152 so much for being an America
Can someone explain to me what's better in the US than in Canada? I just don't understande why her dad had to come there to get a better salary... It's confusing. Canada is as developped and welcomes even moe people for those kind of reasons than the US so why did he did his best to get out? As a Canadian, I was raised with the mentality of you can be anything you want if you work hard enough and you can di it HERE. I'm just... really confused
**(I get why she doesn't want to be deported though. Her family is there, her life and friends, etc)**
Freedom
She has feelings for America.
blank 001 pages
Leezia Dhalla and her family are so strong
Maybe "squatters rights" (aka: Adverse possession laws) should apply. Of course the situation is actually profitable, she and many others pay more than most and claim less. They are eligible for almost no help when needed, but they pay tax. It's profitable to keep these people in the US and under the radar.
Cui bono.
I dont understand a single thing she said, i have my homework on this and i dont know what to write this is hard homework
oh my goodness. You just broke my heart have me crying over here. I pray that your undocumented status has changed and you are still here in the US and are fulfilling your dreams and your hearts desires. I pray that the Lord YHWH blesses you and guides you and protects you. So proud of you even though i do not know you. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Te admiro por esa valentía de dar una plática en Ted talk Sunday sabiendo,que la mayoría de comentarios viene de gente que se cree dueño de este país y se les olvida, que los que trabajamos muy duro somos los inmigrantes. Tambien la mayoría de los jóvenes que sobresalen en sus estudios son inmigrantes.sabes que lo bueno es que tú carrera tus estudios nadie te lo puede quitar donde quiera que vayas,y la verdad yo entiendo cómo te sientes pues yo fui ilegal por muchos años.y Gloria a Dios que logré amnestia, y ahora soy ciudadano de aquí pero aún así no me olvido de mi tierra ni de mi gente .
Watching this for school
Do you know this music which playing of start the video
She cut the line. Illegally in America. Put her in jail and then send her home.
If every illegal immigrant had to leave San Antonio the city would collapse, so many people at my school in even the richest part of San Antonio were still illegal or DACA recipients or some other incredibly complicated immigrant status.
YOU ARE NOT UNDOCUMENTED, YOU ARE ILLEGAL.
What reflections do you have while listening to her story?
No idea why anyone would leave Canada to come to the US. As a US citizen, I'd be thrilled if I were deported to Canada.
MultiPoseur 🤣🤣
Then go to Canada you moron. Nobody is stopping you.
Yep, at least one humorless trumpet always has to drop a comment.
It's really hard to differentiate comedy from autism on the internet. If you were making a joke then I apologize.
As a Canadian, poor baby. Heaven forbid she gets sent back up here to an awesome country. This ain't Mexico.
excellent.
Bravo babe!!!!!
I can't understand why people comes here and start burbur..how much percentage of people coming here contributing to society in a epic way...
What?
What?
You strong girl, there are plenty of people who are listening and we are all American. The answer to your question is yes, absolutely!
I thought she was talking about going back to Honduras or some other country but Canada? Didn't expect that.
It’s the right of every individual on this planet to have an unchallenged sense of belonging. All the talk and rhetoric of every country’s governmental agencies is from the mouths of officials who come from that place of belonging.
We need to be ONE WORLD. Sure, with individual dreams and aspirations - because that’s where choice lives - but also with that all INCLUSIVE attitude that recognises PEOPLE, not opinions.
Make me cried
Technically with no Borders there’s no countries with no countries there is no immigrants
No one is calling for no borders. We ARE calling for reasonable entry, not this complicated system that takes thousands of dollars. We didn't choose where we were born. We don't get choices. What makes someone more worthy than another when it comes to something that couldn't be chosen? Why are my daughter and I, both born in California, more worthy for things we didn't choose?
Guys if you cannot be nice in your comment please save your words and your time we have so much hate in this world we don’t need more
Osamah we don't need ppl to take up our tax money meant for better thing and ppl who need our help here....pisses me off get the American dream legally
Pointing out facts is not hate.
Fact 1, there is no such thing as an undocumented American
Fact 2, if you crossed the boarder illegally you are a illegal Alien and you broke the law
Fact 3, If you overstayed your Visa you broke the law and need to leave as well.
That's not hate that's the law and are facts
John LaBarge, actually most people are stating these things rudely, what she’s saying is to say these facts respectfully, and not add hate in your comment pointing out the facts.
Lol that might’ve been confusing, I was trying to be respectful:D
@@jeanpaullabarge You got your facts wrong. She and her family came to the U.S. legally. Might want to listen to her story again.
All the problems in the world can solve with a key called kindness.
But the kindness needs good reasons for most of people, especially who are tent to have higher intelligence.
Denying is easy, just say “no” to people. Changing and solving the problems properly is what real intellectual people have to do.
I’m not saying that America needs to accept all immigrants unconditionally, nor very hard initiation getting into US society.
I want US to be a good listener and face why people still want to stay in your country.
Excuse my English and bit of off topic, but I simply think the strongest and wealthiest country is capable of more goodness.
There's a perfectly legal way to do things. Look at it from an economic standpoint. If you have massive waves of undocumented immigrants coming in who will need all kinds of social economic help, ie Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, etc, you put a massive strain on not just the federal government, but local governments as well. Here's an anology to maybe help you. You are America. Food is the immigrants and citizens. If you go at a nice steady pace, watch what you eat, you'll grow and get stronger and bigger. If you don't watch what you eat you will become obeise and have health problems. There's room. But you can't just shove everyone in there with no kind of process or backup other than social help programs that were only meant to help people out during hard times. Not to live of these programs. Americans aren't taught to want or need handouts. Immigrants are. And they use these programs to the fullest extent possible. And with such a high burden, immigrants AND Americans are taking advantage of it. Only making things worse. We need to do away with lifetime food stamps and Medicare. Unless you have some debilitating handicap of course. But if you are healthy and free, there's no reason why you should be a burden on others.
And I'm here, unable to get a Canadian work permit. Do you want me to go illegal?
Go nobody's stopping you.
I'm glad you're family loved it here in SA so much that they filed for papers, it's a great city, but you clearly didn't learn square dancing properly or you'd know the massive benefits of knowing how to square dance.
Welcome dear ....take care sweetheart god bless u
What a beta Male
@@Yungguido01 Most Indian males are, and it's nauseating.
The comments below are cancer 😂😂 now I see why Trump won
what ones
I support your comment and I support Trump because you un individual believe what you heard from the media for 5 seconds
and you use the "😂" emoji. who is cancer again?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
All that the OP is saying is that anyone who votes for Trump is cancerous which is a true statement of course. He is a tax dodging, draft dodging, spoiled elitist who married immigrants himself. If you were on here posting about immigration and that morals have fallen and legality and all that other BS and you're a Trump supporter you are a logically inconsistent. cells which are inconsistent and do not refuse to die like good cells are cancer...
How is she doing now with the new laws in the US?
Things are so, so much worse now.
This woman right here is as American as anyone can get,even though she wasn't born here means nothing. I know plenty of people that were born off shores in Army bases,what's the difference? She has one of the biggest hearts I've ver seen and is a real inspiration
If she is willing to support the overthrow of her parents' nation of birth, I have respect for her. All these Third world rat holes from which illegals flee need regime change. These illegals and legal immigrants need to speak up in their own language on message boards, forums, Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the social media online to promote American values and the overthrow of the regimes that are keeping their ancestral nations down. Too many non-Americans want to live in the US getting residency and citizenship but are unwilling to speak out against the human right abusing governments in the nations they came from. Instead of Mexicans endlessly coming into the US, we should make Mexico more like the US by any means. Instead of a corrupt Duterte in the Philippines, we should have him assassinated to help the Filipino people. These immigrants are going to keep coming and ruin the western world like they have ruined their own nations with overpopulation, immorality and corruption. The problem isn't America or its laws and ways. The problem is abroad. And these immigrants should be active in changing the places from which they have come. Right now, they are apathetic and even support fascist corrupt regimes because many just came to America for profit not because of its democracy, respect for rights, etc. Change is needed but most of that change is needed in those rat holes from which these immigrants come.
TruthPig ..Whats horrible is seeing and hearing some of these illegals bash the US and our way of life when they get a venue..courtesy of some Soros funded group or protest!..its no wonder people don't want them here
+tman55575 ,,,'"
+tman55575 ,,,'"r
ElPocho DelMundo..exactly ..next sob story comes if she commits a crime." ohh but she was hungry" poor girl ...laws are meant to be enforced...period!!
Why did they have her on?
God bless u
Nice
iam a native person from the usa i can not go to mexico for any length of time at the border they will ask how long do to plan to stay and you will have a short visit i can not stay and live set up a house get a job no none of things
She is American,.......Native American and that is wats Important because the Native Americans are Not Defined by a Border or a Foreign Ideology,......Honor the Treaties,...!!!
By telling her story, what is the main argument she is trying to prove?
bad borders and illegal acts cause these problems.
oooo the "will you help me fufill mine" got me like I'm shaking
Fair warning, people in the comments didn't actually watch the video
I didn't and commented then i did and commented. Predictable.
This is powerful, but to clarify one point:48 of the 56 signers were born in America. Two were born in England (Button Gwinnett, Robert Morris), two in Ireland (George Taylor, Matthew Thornton), two in Scotland (James Wilson, John Witherspoon), one in Northern Ireland (James Smith), and one in Wales (Francis Lewis).
No NONE of them were born in America, America didn't exist two continents did but you have invaded the other parts of the North America... ... they were born in colonies under charters issued by the British monarchy. This is clear so as those charters also became the "states" with their boundaries, so don't ignore the colonies given structure... ... and don't ignore our history.
I believe in immigration reform & support Dreamers. My heart truly goes out to those who come here looking for a better life. That being said.. She’s talking about how awful it is for her parents living in the US without an ID. “Forget Obamacare or retirement” Um, they’re from Canada. There are people in this country who are afraid of being deported to poor nations where they don’t speak the language. If she were deported she’d be sent to Canada, a predominantly English speaking, beautiful “first world” country with a good economy, jobs and free healthcare. It seems kind of belittling to those who might be sent back to poor countries with high crime rates, high unemployment or even war to have her stand up on that stage (especially in San Antonio) and give this speech. Worst case scenario her and her family are sent back to a country that’s basically the US but with free healthcare, cooler weather & and far less gun crime. It seems like she’s doing this so that she can say she did a TED talk & gain some notoriety.
Lmfao my thoughts exactly
Hi,do you add “Azerbaijan”subtittles?
Call ICE
I am 9 years old but whenever I feel disappointed, or something bothering me or don't feel confident, my mother open for me this channel.
It's really great channel.
Thanks to TEDx and my mother.
Powerful words
That was Deep! pretty much has me speechless... i dont know what to say?????
Great speech! I learned a lot from your personal narrative as well as the statistics included.
T
87
You can sense the Baby Boomers and Gen X'rs in the comment section...
Without a Dream Were Nothing
its sad , very sad
No one can justify your thoughts there is a law and everyone has to follow it. Whether you like it or not. So don’t regret and enjoy it fearlessly. Everyone don’t get what they want but get what is best for them.God Bless You.
God bless you...
Empathic, honest, articulate, intelligent, ambitious, patriotic. She holds the moral high ground, in anyone's book.
I'm at a loss. Why not start the naturalization process? Nothing was stopping her.
Many of the illegal aliens I have known got on that track and got legal. Sergio, my friend's neighbor is naturalized and knows that Mexico won't question his dual citizenship.
once you have been here "illegally" for any amount of time you cannot apply for a green card without leaving the United States for a period of time.
You should probably figure out how the laws work before you make a comment like that.
That was very heart touching! It's a serious problem and it has no simple resolution! And I think truth is somewhere at the middle!
There are several phrases associated with the Statue of Liberty, but the most recognizable is “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This quote comes from Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, New Colossus, which she wrote for a fundraiser auction to raise money for the pedestal upon which the Statue of Liberty now sits.
The poem did not receive much recognition and was quite forgotten after the auction.
The comments below show just how forgotten is the phrase, and its sentiments.
The work permit is bs
I came here from Canada spent 9 business days to get citizenship. Maybe if her parents had taken the process seriously she would have her speech....
Not sure how you pulled that off in 9 days. That’s really not the norm...it generally takes several months. I did it before I came to the US, it took me about 7months.
@@victoriakula2881 It was long days, no work done at all going from what seemed like 1 line to the next. I was begging for the DMV after that.
This is amazing, thank you :D
frustrating that not all ted talks actually allow you to talk with others about the topic ...thanks for having active comments on this vid but broader consistency would be cooler.
Saludos para Alexis Garcia y Saul Trujillo
You spelled illegal immigrant wrong. You prepare by doing the proper paperwork.
Its funny she was surprised to get kicked out when shes an immigrant like you had to see it coming💀
For shame on you. Forcing your way .
Wow
Omg! I thought I was alone.. I thought I am the only one who thinks like that. I'm so very happy, we have same feelings ❤️💕 Hope god keeps you happy ❤️
Thank you for your courage and hope.
But She was 21 when she found out she was an illegal? Her parents should have informed her of what was going on. 18 years to apply for citizenship and they waited 17 to start the process? Tell me more about how this is mean ol' Drumph's fault.
I thought immigration law was exactly what it sounds like: Immigration law, which like all laws, is meant to be abided by. No? It's meant to be breached or ignored? And no punishment should come to those who broke it?
Build that wall!
She and her parents entered the U.S. legally on a work permit. The vast majority of "illegals" also got here through legal ports of entrance. A wall would not change anything.
Beautiful! Very inspirational!
I know cananda ain't bad but ...if I lived in a 3rd world or war torn country and could get my kids to a safer one I would ...and if you believe in God ...and think we should send families back to such countries you should be ashamed!!!
Welcome sweetheart love u take care
You are a beta male
No comments on immigration
Just a clarification- her point is she needs a line to stand in TO GET documentation
She isn't talking about the pros or evils of illegally living
Only two of our founding fathers were not born in this country.
who?
it sucks but your dad broke the law so dont blame any one but your mom and dad
Why América???? Canadá is ALSO América!!!!!!
Britain was covered with ice! Those now there can protect there country! We are full!
I would love to help you fullfill your dream. Start by contacting immigration and take the first steps to becoming an American citizen. The American dream is not a handout. It requires hard work (one of the old american values that is quickly becoming lost).
TimberwolfDan Yep. Nowadays in America a lot of our values are becoming lost. It’s sad.
did you even watch the video I- 👁👄👁
The duration of the stay, no matter how long or how short, is illegal. Those who may have stayed for more than 10 or 20 years have been illegal immigrants. This is a fact that cannot be disputed
The laws of a country has to be upheld, otherwise, they are not laws at all. Mitigation and pleas can be considered on a case by case basis, not across the board. Each case has to be analysed according to its own merits and demerits. The circumstances why an illegal stayer continues to overstay must be examined in depth.
Sentiments and feelings must not be allowed to cloud the authority of the laws of the land. One may love the country and has been living like one of the locals, but one is still living on as an illegal, an over-stayer. The law has been broken in the first place. Regulations were not followed. So, can everyone accept that a visitor who deliberately broke the law for many years, can be the same as a law-abiding citizen?
The volume of over-stayers or illegals, be they 11 million or 100 million, does not justify that they must be allowed to stay on. The figure only reflects the difficulty in law enforcement because of the vastness of the country and the shortage of law enforcers.
Illegals are illegals. They have knowingly committed an offence in the first place. If they are too young to know, then their parents have deliberately committed an offence.
There seems to be an awful lot of heartless people in America. I'm sorry for you all, it can't be nice to have so much spite within.
Indeed, Richard. Reading these comments, you can quite literally filter out people who never had a challenge in their lives. That's what it's like to hate immigrants; these people are incredibly sheltered and spoiled beyond belief.
Peter Michalski lmao 🤣 she had a visa SHE WAS legal and then her visa expired how about you try to listen first and then you can speak your mind not just because you the title and then talk means that you are right
It is not heartless to set boundaries in your personal life or collective one. In fact, it is necessary. Compassion must be balanced with wisdom. Acting out of pure emotion without rational thought of consequences is never a good idea..
She was brought here when she was six. It is her home; stop being so cruel.
Its a big country
It can fit a lot of cruel people in it
Good story. Follow the rules. Too much to ask? I agree. I feel the same way about having to pay confiscatory taxes.
Undocumented? You mean illegal?
Nobody’s illegal on stolen land
Continue to be brave :)
its nice to see someone still positive.
Wish you best of lucky, you've brought me to tears!
that's my story
The Lord is on your side.
zepbigfoot bearcove The Lord will punish your family.
That's my story, too.
You should probably have am issue with your parent/parents not keeping you legal!
Probably but she has zero excuse now. Looks like a grown woman that can make it happen.
bryan weekley how’s that help,either way
dont kill yourself, your're already dead inside
Oh no guys! Without papers she was unable to get free government money to be able to study abroad in France :(((((
SmashBrosBrawl That’s not what she said.
Undocumented or Documented people have a right to stay in America where ever they want to!!!!!!!!!!
God loves you. Thank you for sharing.
please prove that they paid income tax without a SSN.
they can actually get a taxpayer identification number and pay income taxes without a SSN .
@@anacallejas9799 ... EIN is for business, not personal taxes, which is how Social Security, Medicare and Federal Taxes are paid! All Business Taxes flow to a personal tax return. You can't pay taxes without a SSN.
Exactly! Spot ON!!!
@@mistywgilbertGilbert its actually a ITIN that they can use sweetie.
if u are a MD or programmer don't have to work in u.s. Why would you?
Superr mam