A high school student who graduated last week at the top of her class gave her valedictorian speech and in it, she revealed she is an immigrant and hopes to make America great again referencing to Donald Trump's slogan.
Martinez had a 4.95 GPA and is from McKinney Boyd High School. Her GPA earned her a full-ride scholarship to Yale University and when she spoke to her fellow students and educators, she used choice words aiming at the GOP presumptive nominee. Trump has been facing backlash since his comments against the Mexicans, immigrants, Muslims were revealed as well as his plans for building a wall at the border to prevent undocumented immigrants from crossing.
In one part of her speech, Martinez shared that the most important part of the debate is the fact that immigrants, both undocumented and legal, are people too with "dreams, aspirations, hopes, and loved ones." She pointed out that people like her want to help make the U.S. great again without the "construction of a wall based on hatred and prejudice." She did not, in any way, mention Trump, Business Insider reported.
Martinez continued to reveal that she, together with her mother and sister, went to the U.S. after leaving behind their abusive and alcoholic father in Mexico City behind. She pointed out that she is still waiting for her application for citizenship that she sent in six years ago to be processed. She added that the U.S. immigration system is broken as many are trying to be documented the right way but they do not know how.
She continued her speech saying, "I am one of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadow of the United States. I decided to stand before you today and reveal these unexpected realities because this might be the only chance I get to convey the truth to all of you, that undocumented immigrants are people, too."
Aside from seemingly taking a jab at Trump, Martinez slammed the media for their portrayal of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. She called on the audiences to look beyond the accusations made against the immigrants that politicians continuously make.
The speech of Martinez was met with cheers from her fellow students and educators.
