Benefits of the Process

“Seeing my parents go through the process, being apart of the process, for ten year was really something that made me want to get involved and makes me what to help and advocate for families going through it,” said Sol Ortega.

The process is a process many in the United States are familiar with, immigration. Immigration is a serious political issue many people stray away from.

“But the benefits the U.S. offers me makes me realize that I am very grateful.”

At 8 years old, Sol Ortega and her family, mother and father, traveled to the United States from their native land Peru.

Ortega, the salsa dancing, public relation and international studies major with a Latin American focus student at the University of Florida, says she is appreciative to be in a country where she can get an education.

“My entire life has been revolved around school. I love school and my parents have pushed me in school. So being able to give them that satisfaction of them seeing me graduate with my two-year degree plus with my certification from high school.” 

Graduating from UF will be a dream she will do for herself.

“I value education so much because my dad had to work so hard. He hated what he was doing but did it for his family.”

Ortega’s experiences have made her passionate about studying Latin American studies and continue her education into immigration law.