Ten years ago, exactly a month from today, June 22nd, I took the biggest risk of my life. I told my story as an undocumented immigrant. On the same day the @nytmag published my essay, @defineamerican was born. Our goal: For our stories, individually and collectively, to humanize the narrative on immigration, both documented *and* undocumented. 1 out of 7 people living in the United States is an immigrant. An estimated 11 million are, like me, without legal authorization from the U.S. government to be here. Too often, the stories that are told about us in the media—from news to entertainment and everything in between—are inaccurate and dehumanizing, lacking nuance and complexity. If you tell stories (through journalism, film, TV, music, visual art, animation, any kind of storytelling), partner with Define American and spread the word about our work. Before the pandemic started, I was traveling non-stop, visiting 49 states in 9 years. I met many of you along the way. Thank you—maraming salamat—for the support. In the past decade I’ve learned sometimes you have to risk your life—your illusions of “safety,” how you measure “success”—to free yourself from it. In all the ways you can, free yourself. Tell your story. #storytelling #immigrants #immigrantsmakeamericagreat