Larissa Martinez took 17 AP classes at McKinney Boyd High School in Texas. She graduated with a 4.95 GPA and earned Valedictorian honors.
During her speech, she dropped a bombshell: she and her family are undocumented immigrants. She stated:
After all of these years I have finally mustered up the courage to stand here before you and share a struggle I’ve had to deal with each and every day … I am one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows of the United States. I decided to stand before you today and reveal these unexpected realities because this might be my own chance to convey the truth to all of you that undocumented immigrants are people too.
In 2010, Martinez fled Mexico City with her mother and sister to escape an abusive and alcoholic father. They arrived on a tourist visa and her mother applied for citizenship almost immediately; the application is still being processed.
Martinez’s admission comes at a time when immigration is at the forefront of the looming presidential election. She cites a broken US immigration system for forcing families such as hers to live in fear of deportation at any moment.
As Donald Trump continues to spout his plan to build a wall to decrease illegal immigration, Martinez wants everyone to remember that immigrants are people too. She states:
The most important part of the debate and is often overlooked is the fact that immigrants, undocumented or otherwise, are people too. People with dreams, aspirations, hopes and loved ones. People like me. People who have become a part of the American society and way of life and who yearn to help make America great again without the construction of a wall built on hatred and prejudice.
Martinez is looking forward to a full scholarship to Yale and has aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon.