Ursula Avila

Ursula Avila is a member of Soñados Juntos, El Paso’s chapter of United We Dream. A recent graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso and DREAMer herself, Ursula works to build a community of young activists, organizers, and DREAMers through the organization. Ursula shares her story of immigrating at age five and coming to understand what that means for her life today. Part of that story is her LGBT identity:

“I’m also part of the LGBT community. I felt like I had to come out of two closets and they are both very different but similar. When I came out as bisexual, it was something that I found out as I grew up, when I came out, I realized, “Oh, this is an identity, this is who I am.” and being an immigrant was something I always knew I was different and I had to accommodate to a different culture while still having your own, still speaking Spanish.”

The community she works to build through Soñados Juntos provides not only a space to share these stories but also to take collective action. While being a member for less than one year, Ursula frequently steps into spotlight and shares at events at college and high schools throughout the area. While this activity may put her security at risk, she seeks to change the culture and realities that DREAMers face: “Knowing that there’s more of us that are thinking of it in a better way and hoping for a better tomorrow, and a tomorrow after that one.”