My name is Juan Gallegos, and when I was 12 years old, my parents left everything they knew behind to try to give my siblings and me a better opportunity. We moved to the US, arriving just in time to celebrate the 4th of July, 2001. Since then, I have lived in the US with no access to lawful immigration status. In 2006, during the marches for immigration reform, something inside me awakened—the dream of one day being able to apply for US citizenship due to policy change. March of 2026 will be the 20th anniversary of those marches, and with it, it will be my 20th anniversary of dreaming of and advocating for a policy change that would give me access to citizenship.

I am in the process of finishing up a memoir that shares personal stories of my life in the US, including learning English, pursuing education, and earning a living while undocumented. In it, I describe my struggles with identity, both as an immigrant and as a gay man, and my journey to coming out and finding my voice. I discuss my activism and passion for justice, linking these issues to the broader fight for human rights.

The memoir also reflects on the political landscape, including the impact of Donald Trump's presidency and the ongoing fight for immigration reform. My goal is to finish and publish the book by March 2026 the 20th anniversary of the first march I ever attended in the US. For this reason, the working title of the book is “20 Years a Dreamer.”

In essence, "20 Years a Dreamer" is a deeply personal and political narrative that highlights the human stories behind the immigration debate and calls for a more compassionate and equitable society.