By Angelina Castro '16
Lorella Praeli is like many American women. While growing up in the United States, she went to school, worked hard and earned a full-scholarship to attend college. The only difference is that Praeli was an undocumented citizen for the majority of her life. As she explained to packed house in Siena’s Sarazen Student Union, Praeli is a DREAMer, someone who was brought to the United States as a child without documentation. Praeli traveled to the United States from Peru for medical reasons and has lived here ever since.
Because of her status as an undocumented immigrant, Praeli did not grow up with many basic American rights. When she was a teenager, Praeli was prohibited from getting her driver’s license. As she got older, she had no voice in elections. These limitations left Praeli feeling embarrassed and ashamed of her lack of legal status in the place she called home, but they also motivated her.
The activist and leader transformed from being timid and secretive about her life to embracing the fact that she was “undocumented and unafraid.” Eager to share her story, Praeli joined the country’s largest immigrant youth-led organization, United We Dream. Now, at 26-years-old, she is the organization’s Director of Advocacy and Policy.
Praeli’s life is devoted to improving immigrant rights for the 11 million undocumented residents in the country. In 2010, she co-founded Connecticut Students for a Dream (CT4D), an organization which helped Connecticut DREAMers receive in-state tuition for college. Whether it is statewide change or a nationwide action, Praeli has left her mark on countless advocacy movements for immigration.
Many students, including psychology major Moriah McCloskey ’15, were moved by Praeli’s approach to life. “Lorella is a strong woman who is paving a way for the future of many undocumented youth,” McCloskey said.
Biology major Jaime Marchetti ’17 had a strong personal connection to Praeli’s talk because when she was growing up, Marchetti had a close friend who was an undocumented citizen. Due to their financial issues, Marchetti’s friend had to live with another family member and was separated from her mother and siblings.
“When I was younger, I didn't understand why her mother didn't just apply for citizenship,” Marchetti said. “Now I realize how huge the process actually is and how big her family’s struggle was. Lorella’s speech just gave me so much hope for my friend’s future and the future of her siblings.”
Praeli now dedicates herself to transforming the lives of millions of undocumented people. She encourages youth to discover their purpose and chase their dreams. “Find what you’re passionate about,” Praeli said. “It might not be immigration, it might not be the issues I care about, but dedicate your life to improving the lives of others and to improving your own life, and give yourself to a cause that rocks your world.”
Lorella Praeli speech was sponsored by Siena’s Damietta Cross-Cultural Center.
