Carlos

SOÑADOR

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A portrait of Carlos (last name withheld) in his room in the Sunset Park apartment he shares with his family. Carlos was born in Ecuador. At age nine, he came to the United States with his uncle seking a better life full of opportunities. August 22, 2017.

Carlos shares his living space with his parents, siblings and a cousin. August 22, 2017.

The bedroom Carlos shares with his brother. Carlos says this space is his favorite place to be. August 22, 2017.

The bedroom of family members that joins the communal living space. August 22, 2017.

Portraits of family members hang on the wall in Carlos’s home. August 22, 2017.

Carlos putting in his green contact lenses. He wears the lenses to appear “more American” with green eyes rather than brown. August 22, 2017.

The glass cabinet in Carlos’s room that has many family mementos and treasures stored inside. August 22, 2017.

Alongside family pictures, the apartment is decorated with a number of religious figures and images. August 22, 2017.

Carlos spends time with his sister, brother and his dog relaxing in their home. Carlos aspires to be a good role model to his younger siblings. August 22, 2017.

Carlos and his beloved dog. August 22, 2017.

Carlos’s bike hangs on a hook in the stairway. It is his main mode of transportation around Brooklyn. August 22, 2017.

Carlos sits with his colleague in their Sunset Park office space. From here, Carlos manages his tutoring business that he began when he was still in high school. August 22, 2017.

Carlos walks his younger sister to school. August 22, 2017

Soñador
By Kevin Del Rio

What does undocumented mean? Foes it mean you cant go to school? Does it mean you cant accomplish as many things as an average American? Being undocumented simply means you don’t have citizenship status. When compared to a US citizen there aren't many differences. In the United States, these citizenship documents are separating families, and preventing immigrants from living a full life. Carlos was born in Ecuador. At age nine, he came to the United States with his uncle seeking a better life full of opportunities.

When Carlos was sixteen he became the co-owner of a tutoring business that is progressively growing. Teenagers often work a variety of low-wage part time jobs, but Carlos wasn’t like most kids. He was able to run his tutoring business while also going to school. As an undocumented immigrant with no social security card, Carlos wasn’t able to receive financial aid for college. He was able to get over this financial obstacle when two of his high school teachers set up a fundraiser to raise money for his tuition. The fundraiser gave Carlos enough money to pay for his first semester of college. While at college he balanced running the tutoring program, and working at diners and any other jobs he could find. Throughout his life he has focused on being a good role model for his brother and sister, to allow them to succeed and hope for a better future.

So what is different about Carlos from other individuals? He is a hard worker. He always strives for more. At a young age he has achieved more than he imagined he could, and he did all of this as an undocumented immigrant, achieving the “Americam Dream”

SOÑADOR

SoñadorBy Kevin Del Rio

Soñador
By Kevin Del Rio