Samples of Advanced Students’ Writing

“My general emotion to our political climate is fear. I feel more afraid in general and I see more violence. Last year, I felt very sad when Trump was elected. The change has been for evil and it has stayed the same that both parties have voted against the interests of immigrants. I see more racist people and more terrorist attacks. My fears are that my kids will have a very violent and racist political and social atmosphere.

I really have seen nothing positive, but maybe I just did not notice it. I am afraid there could be a world war with a president like the one we have now. My hopes are that President Trump can leave something positive in this amazing country.” – Xiomara 

“I don’t really get involved in politics. An environment of insecurity was created due to knowing that Donald Trump was really the president. Many things have changed since he became president; there is sadness, fear and discrimination towards immigrants and people of color.

Everyone can see that the immigrant system is still broken. Many have become racist and have done bad things against the immigrant community or people of color. People who do not like immigrants feel supported by the president. They think it is correct to act against them because they have the right to express their feelings. One of my worst fears is seeing families torn apart and being separated.

The American community is aware of the hard work and the great contribution that immigrants provide to the country’s economy. Agencies that support immigrants have become stronger and are doing everything they can to protect them.

My hopes are that everyone works together as one community and protects each other. I hope Trump creates a fair immigration reform for everyone. If Trump and his administration do not work together to create a citizenship path for many people who are eligible, more families will be torn apart. Sadness and suffering will be increased. This country will be in total chaos if its immigration system doesn’t get fixed.” – Dunia

“I feel fine in this political climate. I am OK for that since last year. I feel racism, but I think it has not changed. I think it has stayed the same.

People come from other countries. They have difficulty getting a visa to stay in America. I see some groups are against protecting them. Some important places have been attacked. I fear more places will be attacked.

We are going to have expensive health insurance, and will pay more tax. We hope to get a low rate for health insurance, low rates for taxes and more jobs.

I think it will be very hard for new immigrants to get a visa to come to the USA.” –Shirley

“When Obama won the presidential election, it was a historic moment for Americans and for the whole world. The US was proving to the world they “were over” racism and they were a country ready for change and full of hopes. It was a very emotional moment and a great message to all of us.

Eight years later, we experienced an opposite feeling. The presidential election was based on destroying the candidates’ images. The majority of the voters were trying to find out who was the lesser evil: Hilary or Trump. They couldn’t stomach either of those candidates. Donald Trump was demonstrating his weird personality and scaring all of us with his cold heart.

Who would believe someone with no political skills, no sensibility, no charisma, no speech skills and with only a one percent chance of being the winner, would be the next president of the United States?

Although this man shows his lack for the job he was fighting for, he, in my opinion, sent us a very strong message. The message that no matter how small your chances are, keep fighting, believing, finding strategies, being smart and your dream will come true. There’s no impossible.

Now, almost one year after this great deception and discouragement, I guess we are feeling better than one year ago. It doesn’t mean that we are happy with the situation, but we feel safer, protected by many powerful politics. They showed that they will be there for us, that we have a voice, we have rights, we matter and that we are important to this country.” – Gloria

“I remember last year at this time, I felt insecure, worried and anxious. I feel more confident now, since I have read about my human rights. For me, it was very helpful when a lawyer came to GPA to talk about our rights. That was the first information I ever got about the immigration process.

I’ve seen many ignorant people gathering together to hurt others who look or think differently than them. There are so many poorly educated people who support this administration with no intention of trying to make things better or to get involved with their communities.

In my personal experience, I have gotten a lot of support from my “white” friends. Actually, they are the ones who made me notice how bad the situation was. People around my neighborhood of Cambridge/Allston were extra nice in the streets, public transportation, stores, etc.

I hope things do not get more divided or worse in racial and socioeconomic status.”  -Liliana

“I feel that with President Trump, everything is changing. I think he has been the president with the most controversy. Some negative things I have noticed are that he is removing work permits. I’m afraid that it will change things and hurt us. Things are changing little by little, things like the same politics. The changes made by the president should be good for all citizens. The economy will be affected by how it leads relations with other countries.” –Pedro