What comes to mind when you think of undocumented immigrants? Probably not Julissa Arce.

This young woman proves there are no barriers — physical or otherwise — when it comes to achieving your dreams.

When you first meet Julissa Arce, you might assume she's like lots of other ambitious young women just looking for her own slice of humble American pie.

And she is. But she also lived with a huge secret for years.

Image by Julissa Arce, featured with permission.

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Storycorps presents 'Who We Are: Blanca and Connie Alvarez.'

This video is a powerful example of immigrants working hard and doing whatever it takes to attain the American dream.

When Connie's family came from Mexico to the U.S. in 1972, her mother, Blanca Alvarez, was pregnant with Connie.

Even after Connie was born, her family's first years in America weren't easy. Sometimes they didn't have anything to eat. Sometimes they had to take any job they could to get by. Sometimes Blanca had to take the kids to work with her or make due with bean tacos when there was nothing else to eat.

It's a tale I'm sure many immigrants can relate to. And as our national conversation about immigrants continues, stories like Blanca and Connie's can make all the difference in helping us grow empathy.

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One man’s inspirational journey from refugee to valedictorian to MIT.

Abishkar Chhetri was born and raised in a refugee camp in Eastern Nepal, where living conditions were less than ideal.

An inside look at one of the many refugee camps in Nepal. Image via Jesuit Refuge Service/YouTube.

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