The Dreamer
Marco Malagón is an undocumented student and activist leader in Dallas, Texas.
Since he crossed the border into Texas from Mexico on a moonlit night in 1999, Marco has climbed higher and higher. He’s worked his way up from fast food cook to industrial quality control to apprenticing for design engineers. He graduated from McKinney High School. He earned an Associates Degree at Collin County Community College. He took classes at the University of Texas at Dallas.
He’s always dreamed of being a doctor. But without a work permit or a Social Security number, Marco wouldn’t be able to use a medical degree to get a job. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allowed certain undocumented youth to get work permits, Social Security numbers and, in some states, a driver’s license.
Marco has decided to change the system that stands in the way of his dreams.
This video is part of a series of videos about undocumented students in North Texas, showcased at The Arrivals website.
The story, featuring images and text, appears in the 2013 Mayborn magazine. The layout and text can be seen below or viewed in a PDF.
2013 First Place Winner of Society of Professional Journalists Region 8 – Nonfiction Magazine Article – Mark of Excellence
Tearsheets from University of North Texas’ Mayborn Magazine, 2013
A PDF of the story can be downloaded here.
