15 Graduating Latino students show their pride on their caps & it will move you to tears

"I was in diapers when mi madre made the difficult decision to leave her five children behind in Mexico to seek the 'American dream'. Mom could no longer afford to feed her hungry babies. So she left everything she loved with only few monies in her pocket, a heavy heart and a soul full of hope. Crossing the border was extremely risky but she had a goal in mind and nothing was going to stop her. Nothing did because her dreams didn't have borders. Making it to the 'other side' presented its own challenges. Work was scarce, people were rude, there was the language barrier and the labor jobs were crippling. But she hustled, day in and day out, saving every bit of money to one day bring her babies to the states. A year and some months later, she did exactly that. Then, a decade later she became a U.S. citizen. She taught me perseverance before I could even spell it. Mi madre truly crossed the border so I could cross the stage."

"Raza Grad! My cap represents why I want to be a peoples' lawyer. The roses and wheat are 'bread and roses'–the slogan used by labor struggles striving for both fair wages and dignified conditions. The red fist is for the revolutionary struggle that runs through my veins. And the words 'Ya Se Armó' translates literally into 'already armed' but also used to mean 'It's on.' It's interesting double meaning together with the scales of justice signify that I am now armed with the tools my community needs to continue to dismantle the systems of oppression."

"A big thanks to my parents who came to this country looking for a better life and worked very hard to raise my sister and I to be strong independent women, they have ALWAYS been my biggest supporters. Me puse las pilas just like they did and I persevered, now I'm a strong independent LATINA WOMAN ENGINEER. ."

Just another job-stealing, hard-working, educated, proud, humble, chingona immigrant. From a Richmond High Oiler, to a UCLA Bruin, and now a USC Trojan. I am Master Adriana. #BrownAndEducated"

"My persistence is resistance, and I couldn't have done it without you two."

"For my people, particularly for my family."

"I am a product of their hard work, of their sacrifices, and endless love. My diploma is just as much mine as it it theirs. My long nights of studying don't even begin to compare to their endless and tiresome work, all so I can go to school and not have to worry about anything other than my education. They've crossed physical borders to give me unimaginable opportunities and have ALWAYS placed my education first as well as my well being. Earning my degree and continuing my educational career towards law school is the least could do. So yea, I am a product of hardworking immigrants and I'm f***ing proud of it. Todo lo que hago lo hago por ustedes. Gracias Mom and Dad."

"They've made so many sacrifices for me and my 5 brothers and sisters. And this is only one way I can repay them for all they've given up so that we can have more in this life. I will forever be indebted to them and I only hope to be as good a daughter to them as they have been parents to me. Para mis padres, para mi familia, y para mi gente. ✊ .

"My parents have struggled and sacrificed so much to give their kids the chance at everything they never had. Esto es para ellos con amor ❤️ #mastersofscience #tccolumbia."

"1. I'm still learning how to use my 'wings' and fly, but I will never forget how my immigrant parents were the ones who gave them to me with their hard work and support.
2. The Butterflies : When I thought of wings, I instantly thought, butterflies. Butterflies have become the symbol of immigration (Monarchs specifically), which connects to being a daughter of immigrants. Not only that, but my name means butterfly.
3. The Roses : I connected the roses with being Xicana and not forgetting my Mexican culture, as well as symbolizing my faith and my personal 'blooming'."

It means you look more beautiful when you're quiet. Jacqueline Cabrera's message is much better: "With a diploma you look more beautiful."

"Finally done!!!!!! It was a long LONG journey but so worth it! Honestly couldn't have done it without the support of my family and friends! Glad I was able to share this moment with my beautiful parents! The one thing they always told us is school comes first, all the struggles and hard work would be worth it once they see us graduate college and I finally did it! I'm a proud daughter of immigrant parents! ¡Esto es para ustedes ma y pa!"

She graduated with a degree in political science.

"This is for the thousands of undocumented students all over the country. I know that it gets hard, stressful, and it could be frustrating at times but trust me, I am here today as proof that it's not impossible. All throughout of my life I have always had to take the extra step and figure out ways on how I would be able to afford higher education. Growing up I had no idea what it meant to be undocumented and as the years went by, I was soon faced with many obstacles. From people telling me I'll never make it to others saying I should just settle for less. But regardless of the negative remarks thrown at me, I continued to strive for my education. Now look where I am at now, a dreamer, who has just graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from CSULA, DEBT FREE. As I continue on with my education pursuing my masters degree in social work, my ultimate goal is to be an advocate for all the undocumented students/dreamers out there. I want to provide them with the resources that I was grateful to have throughout my educational journey and afford them the tools to encourage their resilience. Most importantly, I strive to be a reminder to all. That regardless of your citizenship status, race, or gender you too can attend college and pursue your dreams."

"This accomplishment isn't for me, but for my entire family who has sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunities that they didn't.
For my Grandpa Cruz who is watching over my family from heaven. Although he's no longer on earth, my dad still embodies his spirit in the sombrero he wears, a sombrero that once belonged to mi Abuelo.
For my Grandmas who I love and miss dearly. Strong Mexican women that have raised strong children, and survived battles including poverty, illness, and cancer.
For my parents, que dejaron sus vidas en la tierra de Mexico, para darnos la oportunidad de un sueño americano. Who crossed the most dangerous of frontiers so that all of their children could cross the stage.
And for all unapologetic sons and daughters of immigrants across the nation that show Donald Trump that we are some #badhombres and #chingonas that are here to stay.
Sí se pudo."