Diane Guerrero

“Throughout my childhood, I watched my parents try to become legal but to no avail. They lost their money to people they believed to be attorneys but who ultimately never helped. That meant my childhood was haunted by the fear that they would be deported.”

“I think it's always been sort of difficult for people of color to celebrate the Fourth of July and really understand what that means.”

“My parents were desperately trying to become documented citizens of this country and tried very hard to get there, but to no avail.”

“I think despite what we've seen on TV, people like seeing women and knowing about women's stories and their struggles and their truth. I think we've seen it in a lot of these shows - when there's a cast of all women, it does very well.”

“I don't know why I was lucky enough to have people in my community take me in. To be able to continue school. Or why I was lucky enough to find work or go to college. I do know that kind of luck is one in a million.”

“We need someone who's going to govern on behalf of everyone in this country, including immigrants.”

“Whatever the reason is, I am happiest when connecting with the human experience. It lets me know that I'm not alone in this world.”

“I am representing my community, in a sense, especially given the fact that there are not as many Latino actors out there.”

“People tell me to go back to my country, and I'm an American.”

“I don't think you're ever ready to read your life back to yourself and try to make it entertaining for others.”

“We need to be investing in resources, like Women Step Forward, to provide immigrants with trusted information about their rights and options.”

“My parents have always been very honest with me.”

“Growing up without my parents by my side is a weight I still carry today.”

“We have to educate our communities about the immigration system and dispel the myths that have been fed to us. Immigration isn't going to go away. A wall isn't going to 'solve' the issue.”

“Anybody who lives in Colombia knows that if you don't have any money - I tell you what - you don't have many options.”

“Once my family was taken, I became fully aware that my community matters less to some people. That we are treated differently because of the color of our skin or where our parents were born.”

“We should be a nation that welcomes immigrants, keeps families together, and ensures that everyone gets a fair day in court.”

“Even kids who haven't had firsthand experience with the immigration system, I want them to know how families are affected and what kind of system is in place.”

“I feel like you can't really be truthful as an artist and empathize with the human experience unless you know your truth, and you're not living a lie.”

“I dreamed of being an artist.”