We’re shared incredible messages we’ve received from our advocates over the years, and this particular one from a 16-year-old girl is one we just couldn’t wait for you to see.
In her letter, Leticia slams Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump for his racist remarks against Latinos and immigrants across the nation, saying “I speak not just for me, but for every other Hispanic and immigrant, we are Americans.”
“Your words have created this anger that I have never experienced, I am as much American as you are, maybe even more.”
Leticia reminds Trump that even his family has an immigrant history: “Your own parents immigrated to America. So how dare you try to remove us ‘illegal’ Americans from our homes when your own parents immigrated just like many families have.”
It’s a must-read. An enormous thank you to Leticia for sharing her words with us and our readers.
Hello my name is Leticia Salazar I am 16 years old and a Hispanic female. I have a message for Donald Trump, he has said what he had to say about Hispanics and immigration, now it’s our turn to say what we want to say. Donald Trump, for one we don’t appreciate you calling us drug dealers, rapists and blaming us for crimes that we don’t even do, I can guarantee you that I as a Hispanic don’t participate in any of those actions. Your words have created this anger that I have never experienced, I am as much American as you are, maybe even more. I have not only once, but TWICE! Have passed the Constitution test that our founding fathers have created, I know my rights and I know that America was meant to be a land for the free, but no. People like you are destroying the American dream, the dream that has fueled this country for centuries. Our country started because of immigration, you nor any other person in this country is an American, no. Why because you aren’t a Native American, they are the true Americans, this was their land not yours, not mine and I see that, but you dont. Not only just that, but your own parents immigrated to America. So how dare you try to remove us “illegal” Americans from our homes when your own parents immigrated just like many families have. You have no right, because you don’t know what those families have been through. I suggest you to get off your mighty horse and evaluate yourself. Like Elie Wisel said “no human being is illegal,” so who are you to call us illegal? I speak not just for me, but for every other Hispanic and immigrant, we are Americans I AM AN American, Mexico is my blood and America is my country.
I Am An American
This drawing represents Mexico and America together as one. La Virgen de Gudalupe and the Statue of Liberty, two well known icon figures, becoming one. As La Virgen answers your prayers, giving you hope for a better life and leading you to your path, and the Statue of Liberty welcoming the “tire, the poor and the homeless” into America as she lifts her “lamp beside the golden door.” The two flags combined represent the two countries finding unity together and working through the hardships. The roses being the beauty that both countries have in them, bring love, joy, and appreciation to our homes. Overall what I am trying to say is no race is illegal, no race is better then the other and we shouldn’t let numbers or papers defined who we are as people. Every person, every race is beautiful in their own ways, and no race is perfect we are humans and humans make mistakes. I am here to tell Donald Trump that I AM AN AMERICAN and a proud Hispanic.
