Dear Sir/Madam:
 
My name is Mahsa and I was born in Iran, Tehran.  I was brought to California when I was 8 years old.  My parents gave up a fantastic life due to the fact that my other sibling was being abused in school as a result of his mental disabilities.  We gave everything up and moved to a country where we had no one.  My parents hired a lawyer and tried to get our green cards.  Long story short, this man that called himself a lawyer was a fake and he stole all our money and left us with an illegal status.
 
We have had many lawyers since then who have tried to help us and we have been unable to become legal citizens. I am now 25 years old.  My family and I have never done anything wrong, and have paid taxes, and have done a lot of community work to better the lives of our neighbors.
 
The problem is, that even though I have lived in this country since I was a little girl, I am now an undocumented /illegal person.  I cannot get a driver's license.  I cannot work, and I cannot attend school.  My parents like many other Iranian parents wanted the best for me, and sadly I feel my life is now worst than if we had stayed in our home land.  But my family decided to make that sacrifice for my sibling. 
 
I feel like my life has been stolen from me.  I suffer from major depression.  My days are empty and I cannot do anything!  I am scared of anyone finding out about my situation and therefore, I do not socialize with people.  I am lonely.  I have never left the city I live in for the past 16 years.  I have never driven a car.  I have never gone anywhere, where proof of my age is required.  I have been humiliated many times due to my situation.  For example when I tried to register for college the woman behind the desk started yelling "ARE YOU ILLEGAL?!?!"  Infront of all other students.  I remember tears running down my face.  I remember wanted to run across the street and jumping infront of a car. 
 
There is only one thing that can help me.  It is called The Dream Act.  I beg you to urge your readers and other Iranians to help me by sending letters to their senators and congress people urging them to pass The Dream Act.   You can find more information at the link below:
http://dreamact.info/
 
I often think about ending my life because there is no way out of this horrible mess that is now my life.  I cry waking up and I cry going to sleep, and there seems to be no one who understands me and there is no one who is willing to help me.  I am pleading with you to urge everyone to visit that web site and to send letters and faxes to their local representatives.
 
Thank you.  And God Bless.