The money to cover his studies at Arizona State University (ASU) comes from multiple scholarships.

Joseph Parra, the son of Mexican immigrants and a native of Arizona, set a record by being accepted to 49 universities across the United States and receiving US$5 million in public and private scholarships.

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He explained that the money to cover his studies at Arizona State University (ASU) comes from multiple scholarships, including one created by former President Barack Obama, which will allow him to graduate debt-free.

The student, a graduate of Phoenix Code Academy, noted that his achievement is a tribute to the hard work of his parents, who arrived in the U.S. with no resources and sacrificed to support their family.

Parra explained that during Donald Trump’s presidency, racist comments against immigrants made him question his identity. However, a trip to his parents’ village in southern Mexico during the pandemic allowed him to “reconnect with his roots.”

According to the organization UnidosUS, 70% of Latino students entering U.S. universities are the first in their families to pursue higher education.

At his graduation, Parra paid tribute to his parents by wearing the Mexican flag on his gown and a hand-embroidered piece made by his mother, which reaffirmed his pride in his bicultural identity.

Despite offers from other universities, he chose to study International Business with a cultural focus at ASU, aiming to strengthen ties between Mexico and the United States and promote pride among young people of immigrant descent.

His story unfolds against a backdrop of immigration raids in Arizona, where some families fear attending school ceremonies due to the presence of authorities. Parra lamented the racism that Latinos still face, but affirmed, “We belong here; the United States is our homeland.”

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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