McKinney Boyd valedictorian reveals unauthorized immigration status in graduation speech 

Getting into Yale University is no small feat. A very bright young woman who has overcome tremendous obstacles. She will make great contributions to this country.

How can we not be proud of this young woman? We should welcome her with open arms into our big private club of American citizenship. She has earned it, more so than many who are just born into it. Let's not make her the scapegoat for anyone's insecurities. This country is great partly because of its immigrants. Just ask your grandparents and great grandparents.

All the people talking shit are mad because their kids where born here and speak the language and still can't graduate high school lol

all these people mad because she is successful.....her entire graduating class, had the option and ability to sit in that very spot she occupied. yet there she sits. can you say butthurt??? she can here, against all odd and hatred, and is ON TOP. so many American children with this opportunity, and it become hers through hard work and sacrifice. a beautiful MEXICANA valedictorian of her class. ofcoarse people are mad. they can't take know a MEXICAN AMERICAN sits on top and graciously so. YOU GO BONITA!!!!!

what an incredibly brave young lady. you go girl.

Immigrants: we get the job done.

Proud of you Martinez! You and many hardworking immigrants from other countries beat the odds and show the world what your worth!

Wait, she proved her stereotype wrong and people are still giving her shit? wow. Y'all can hate on her all you want, but she's still doing better than many of you lol. She isn't going anywhere and it's hilarious to see so many people pissed off about that.

This girl is an inspiration, she is honestly amazing to have gone through all that and have the courage to tell them all that

"They told me I couldn't, so I did." -Larissa Martinez She is my idol right now!

hating her won't make u pretty

us latinos are very proud of u

Y’all should have been in that room when she told a whole church full of people she was an illegal. You could hear a pen drop. I was there it was my cousins graduation and my old high school...half the crowd stopped listening and got on their phones when she said she was an illegal from Mexico.

"They told me I couldn't, so I did."

The guy behind her looks annoyed. This is inspirational, she is awesome.

I was at that graduation and I was so amazed by her speech,I hope her a bright and wonder future 👍🏻

They are just mad because a Mexican immigrant actually is making BOSS moves while there children are spoiled and can't even graduate! Que viva Mexico 🇲🇽

Damn, if that were my daughter. I'd be proud a'f.

YO THATS MY HIGHSCHOOL!!

Love how she shares her realities and hardships. It shows how hard she worked and how very much she deserves it. 👍

That was so powerful. I’m a cis white man and this was everything! Congratulations

Stop the Hatred! United we stand!!!!

wow I'm so moved by her speech her struggle very admirable young lady...keep proving them wrong!

We are hated because of our intelligence...go girl!!

8:19 I am the living proof that beating the system is possible. Salute!

White bruh in the backround looking mighty uncomfortable l o l

Wow,Wow, Wow, So Proud of you!!!! YOU are so BRAVE, , SMART, INTELLIGENT, the list goes on and on. My Prayers are with you always.

Brought me to tears. Beautiful speech and so so proud of this brave and intelligent young lady!

She is smart enough to help Mexico. I’m serious. She’s smart, bilingual, and needed at South of the border.

Congrats Girl! 🎓 let them hate, obviously they will Never understand what you went through! #UnitedWeStand

You never see this on the news...

Give her citizenship, and deport someone who has been on welfare for years!!!!! NEVER even applied for a job in there life!!! she will contribute more to this country!!!!

It is NOT her fault, she had no voice, she had no choice, she only had her mum and her mum made the decision to go to America, don't blame her

Send her back

this made me cry, thank you for opening my eyes

this is amazing and the fact that u r undocumented and still on top just blows me away and it wasn't easy saying what u did but u got thru it and this speech is just powerful gongrats grad

Why am I in love with her?

I'm simply in aww of this young lady. She has gone against all odds, and has made it to the top. She is an inspiration, to everyone who has thought that they can't. Never limit yourself! I'm the son of immigrants, born and raised in this country, I have done well for myself, but this young lady will surely go above and beyond. I only wish her the best! (¡Eres mi inspiración, que dios te bendiga!) "El qué busca encuentra."

cool....now someone please notify the police.

she's amazing(and smart at the same time)

99% of comments: "all these racist comments need to stop" 1% of comments: racist comments

I watched this video a few month ago, and i came back here, cause today I realized what she meant. She seems like telling about all about her private story but at the same times, she is really brave. She is telling about truth. Only the people who experienced devaluations due to back ground can understand what she is truly saying. She didn't say undocumented immigrants are right. Come on, look at her deep heart.

Ok. After reading the comments I can comprehend both sides of "Undocumented Immigrants". Some comments made me think about how corrupt the system is, as she calls it, "Broken". I admire her bravery and strength to come out in the open and tell us her story. I understand she's undocumented, but why be punished when all she wanted was to succeed in a country (USA) she was brought to. The thing Americans or ignorant slobs don't seem to get is; Her parents left Mexico for a better LIFE. You people really think her mom wanted to stay in a country where she couldn't make a future for her kids/daughter? Her mom knew what she was getting herself into, but risked it all because she knew her daughter would strive for the moon and stars. Yes, I do know that legal process is the way to go, but see, in her defense she was three with nothing but innocence and purity. I read one comment that really bothered me - it went like this, "If she's so smart, why not go back to her country and make it great?" This is where the ignorance really comes into play. If she went back to Mexico there's a high percentage that she'd be envied and probably killed because she made something out of her life in the States. Now, not every undocumented immigrant is like her. I do agree that there's a decent percentage of immigrants that do commit crime and other defenses and they do deserve to be deported because they're not contributing (benefiting) to the economy. She represents the typical 'stereotypes' of: lazy, only here for the benefits, and dropping out of school now gimme food-stamps. I want to address the fact that many of the comments have said "It's not fair she's here illegally, but my parents waited years for legal confirmation" "we" as a nation have suffered and it's not fair to discriminate just because there's no education about it rather than negativity and anti-support. Rationalize with me. Is Trump really making America "great" again? Was it even great at one point? Every opinion has its valid points and personal emotion. Now I'm gonna go back to eating my quesadilla, thanks.

YES! YOU GO GIRL SHOW THEM!

To all those who dislike this women, why? She is living prof that a undocumented, female, first generation student can excel all expectation. All my respect goes to this young women.

A girl who was an immigrant from Mexico got valedictorian in her class.I honestly knew she was gonna get it cause she is a very smart young woman.

So brave. So poised. So amazing.

1. Martinez discussed “not letting any obstacles stop you.”While she says “obstacles,” what she really means is laws. However, laws should stop you. That’s the point of laws.2. She discussed “living in the shadow.”She doesn’t live in the shadows of anything. She goes to public school on the taxpayer’s dime, bumping American citizens out of scholarships. She’s standing in the spotlight, boasting about her crime.3. She tells us “undocumented immigrants are people too.”Yes, yes they are. Do you know why? All criminals are people. Animals don’t have laws. Therefore, any criminal is also a person.4. She claimed, “I owe it to all of you, to be honest.”However, she didn’t owe it to her classmates, American citizens, or anyone else to follow our laws.5. She told her peers, “We don’t have to let expectations become our reality.”Apparently, her definition of “expectations” is much like her definition of “obstacles” because once again, what she’s really referring to are laws.6. “I’m proof beating the system is possible,” she boasted.Well, that speaks for itself, but did she beat the system or cheat it? The answer is obvious.7. She tells us that illegal immigrants want to become Americans “the right way,” but “they don’t know how.”Apparently, her stroke of honesty didn’t last long. She previously admits that her application has been in process, so she knew how to do it legally, it just wasn’t going her way fast enough. Now, let’s apply her excuse to any other law or crime. Would that leave people applauding? Would it cause the law to look the other way?Many states make it incredibly hard, if not impossible, to obtain a concealed carry permit. If a person without a permit used that excuse - “I wanted to do it the right way, but didn’t know how” - all because the laws were too “complicated” or took too long, would the liberal left be applauding? Would the crime be ignored? No. That otherwise law-abiding citizen would be facing serious federal gun charges.8. “We don’t have to conform to the limitations others put on us,” she tells fellow graduates.Again, they’re called laws, and yes, you should conform to those limitations. Otherwise, you are a criminal and should have to face the consequences and punishment for your crime, not be applauded for it.9. “They told me I couldn’t, so I did,” she concluded. Yes, she did. She broke the law.What message is she sending to her peers, which, as very young adults, are very easily influenced? They should break laws if their intentions are pure. Who defines that? Who decides what’s just and what’s not? Isn’t it already defined by our laws? A country without borders and laws is not a country. It’s chaos. It’s anarchy, and it’s what she is encouraging.If a bank robber takes his loot and gives it to the poor, is his crime any less? What Martinez did is worse because, at this point, all she did was take. She took our tax money that should be used to school American children. She took a scholarship that an American citizen, trying to get into school but can’t afford it, could have used. She is taking a spot at the prestigious Yale University - a spot some American vied for and was denied to make room for this illegal immigrant.

Did anyone else think McKinney Boyd was her name??

thank you for speaking up for yourself and others..studying law!! help people like you..thousand thousand people need you..love you..the most respectful high school graduation speech....

Girl that was a nice valedictorian speech your speech is very important it will make a big changes for lot of people that think 💭 they will not be someone better for the future or that don't appreciate what they have❤

I disagree about being illegally in the United States... My parents were LEGAL immigrants into the United States and they were lucky enough to work for their consulates in America while waiting the 2.5 years for it to become legal. I am a FIRST GENERATION American born here and am proud of this country. Even now in my late 60s I STILL love learning all I CAN ABOUT AMERICA. I too was valedictorian for the class of 1970 and had a great educations, great job, and now am retired. I am saddened to see our borders inundated by THOUSANDS of ILLEGALS trying to into our country from DOZENS of countries. I would feel for this young lady if she and her mother and siblings get deported because they are undocumented. BUT IT'S THE LAW. The financial burden on AMERICAN TAXPAYERS IS IMMENSE... DO IT LEGALLY and you too can be proud of being American and not hiding in the SHADOWS!

As a Trump supporter, this is a case where I think we should grant this lady citizenship. She has proven to be a productive citizen of this country. With that said, her story is not an accurate representation of illegal immigrants as a whole, and we shouldn't base national policy off of this one in a million case. Many illegals do commit a high rate of crimes and those illegals that are dangerous and take more than they give from our society should be deported. However, in any case where illegals are like this they should be granted citizenship.

okay i love how she is undocumented and shit, but isn't a valedictorian speech supposed to be about the entire class and not themselves. If the reason why they choose her is because she gives a good message of being an undocumented immigrant, that doesn't necessarily speak to the class. A valedictorian speech should represent the entire class as a whole, not to raise awareness for their own benefit.

Reported to ICE. Have a great life Mexico.

deport

It's a shame that she had to be so divisive with her words. It's a high school graduation speech. Why not unite the class before everyone goes their own way. Instead she had to whine like a baby when she said "We are people too." Don't tell me that illegal immigrants don't make fun of kids born in the USA.

Very brave young girl.

The hate in this comment section made me sick to my stomach.

People just want better lives for themselves and their children. How can that be a bad thing for anyone. Many immigrants and migrant farm workers, documented or not, are the unsung heroes of our economy.

Hard headed people won't understand. I'm proud of you girl 🙂. You earned all this, you worked hard and put everything in school. Don't let other haters say you don't deserve it because you are an illegal. They just hate you because an American wasn't smart enough to do it. Good job and god bless you ❤️

Racism in America is nothing compared to Mexico racism. I was born in cali and my are illegal. I got older and went to Mexico to live for a while with my grandparents and experience school there. In school, kids called me gringo and told me to go back to my "free country", I got jumped multiple times cause I can't speak Spanish well and I can't really understand it. So now I'm use to it and I just want to see how a white person will survive in that environment lol

This is so empowering and positive.. no matter where you are from.

I keep it watching over and over again she inspires me so much.

Such a beautiful soul. So proud of her and I wish nothing but the best for her and her family.

SINCERE QUESTION: Should every man, woman and child who wants to make a better life for themselves here in America be able to subvert the laws in order to do so, despite opinions about inefficiencies within our immigration system? What other country on Earth would that be tolerated in? Is this an example we want to broadcast to the world?

QUIT SAYING SHE'S GOING TO GET DEPORTED

I'm going to this high school next year....

There needs to be more people like this young lady, who's tired of living in fear and who wants to be the brave one to draw attention to the immigration topic. People can be hateful and say nevertheless shes an immigrant and even though thats true, what does it mean. Just because shes an immigrant she isnt intitled to a life in our great county. She has worked hard to get to this point unlike some of our young children who have their parents to fall back on. Her being accepted to Yale should be self explanatory, she not going for the college experience of winning beer pong, partying at frat parties like most of our American children, who make colleges a waste of mommy and daddys money. I hope my children grow up with her spirit and intentions. Everyone needs to stop judging and just salute her, our country supposed to be the best place for better opportunities. Also shame on whoever votes for trump, he will lead us to the gutters idk who would want an celebrity as PRESIDENT

simply beautiful.....🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗😢😢😢😢😢

my cousin went to this high school, he graduated last year and i got to attend the graduation and see this speech, it was amazing

focus on other illegals that come from other countries not just the Mexicans and by the way I was born in Texas!

Dhe inspires me SO MUCH! I cant even I m not GIVING UP on getting a 36 on my ACT especially not after watching her I aspire to be more like her she is a true warrior!

I am building a Wall :)

She's so brave. Good on her for sharing her story.

Since you all are so passionate about these boarders. How about you all stop crossing Africas boarders for diamonds how about you stop crossing the boarders to use china supplies how about you stop going to Columbia for your delicious star coffee. you go to these countries to supply your own country with goods while we pay anywhere from $.05 to $1.00 for labor to get products and this is something we are proud of. we go to war with countries 80% over problems that have nothing to do with us and in the mist our own soldiers die and we kill innocent ppl. trust me a valedictorian from a high school is the least of your problem try and focus on our poor education system that our government is always first to cut

What Mexicans taking the top again. Proud to be Texan. Mexican

what an amazing young lady. i hope all her dreams come to forwishen.

Well you gotta give it to her regardless of her citizenship status she’s got guts to say that in front of all those people and she became valedictorian and worked hard in school something that many undocumented immigrants don’t do

Why do people always feel that they need to come out? Can't figure that out.

No matter how hard you try to justify illegal immigration, it doesn't work. The US taxpayers are not your personal bank, your parents, your sponsors, your babysitters. You do not belong here, you are not our responsibility and never were. You knew you were wrong when you came here and no matter how many self-serving excuses you make, it isn't going to fly. In this country, we have laws. If you live here, you respect and obey our laws. If you do not, you take the consequences. Just because you do not like what you are being told and do not want to be deported does not mean it won't happen no matter how hard you argue against it. There will be no new amnesty program. We do not reward people who disobey the law. When you reward lawbreakers by granting them amnesty, you only get more lawbreakers. Be aware that if you were granted amnesty in the past and the issue that set that amnesty in motion no longer exists, you could now be sent back to your homeland. I mention that due to the recent renewal of relationships with Cuba which Obama set into motion recently. If you get sent back home, do not blame the Presidential candidates......they are not the people currently in power and authority. Blame the Democrats for giving you false hope and for now finally enforcing laws that are already in effect. Hillary is not likely to be elected. She is in poor health and is burdened with a large string of scandals that could end up with her being indicted. Tradition also goes against another Democrat being elected. Historically, the party currently in power for the past 8 years gets replaced by the opposite party. The Republican party is statistically set to win the White House. They already control the congress, which means they also control the Electoral College process which will ultimately control the outcome of the election. The vote of the people is only a part of the final electoral process so stacking the ballots won't fix your problem.

She doesn't have citizenship and doesn't pay taxes. Give her citizenship, and calculate the taxes she owes. Done.

Why is everyone so upset that this young intelligent, Hispanic woman, is becoming successful ? Why are people saying she is a criminal ? Do you think it's her fault she came to this country because of her mother's decision ? People are saying an American deserve the spot that this girl has in college. If they want that "spot" so badly, why don't they work hard for it like this young lady did. It is very difficult today to even get documented. She worked for this, and deserves this. So stop being so butt hurt because an undocumented human being is becoming more successful than those that sit around and think they have a higher status than them because they were privileged to be born in this country. People need to realize that immigrants are human beings that also deserve to have a hopeful, bright, and successful future just as much as everyone else.

7:11 You complain you've been waiting for 7 years? I came here legally and kept my legal status, been here 14 years, been paying taxes, and still not a citizen. But you're right about the broken immigration system, because the ones who come here illegally become citizen faster than the ones who come here complying with the law of the land.

I see a lot of comments saying that she deserves what has been awarded to her despite being illegal because she beat the odds and showed courage. You know what would have been more impressive and more deserving of the praise and rewards? If she went back to where she and her mother originally came from and got her education there and also receive a scholarship to Yale proving that you don't need to leave in order to find.

Mexico is a great country, with a lot of problemas but great and awesome, with crime and poverty, but beautiful and amazing, with a lot o talent people, only working together with the USA and Canada oure region (North America) can be great againt.. American Mexico is not your ENEMY, Mexico is your friend, we need USA and USA need Mexico but with DIGNITY...

lmao you can see the guy in the back getting progressively either more pissed or proud

She broke the law and shouldn't be in this country. Yes I get it she is an accomplished student with big goals and dreams but why didn't her parents or herself make the attempt to go through the legal process to become American citizens? My mom along with my grandmother busted their ass to become American citizens and this girl gets everything paid for undocumented? This is unfair for legal immigrants who went through the process.

It`s always how this country is not doing enough, how we are not right for wanting to control are borders & how racist we are! We have a sovereign right to control the border and not be scolded because we the people don`t wanna support what Mexico robs from their own citizens ! No change can happen if you take the easy way and things always stay the same in Mexico because no one wants do the work it takes to have a country like the United states. Controlling the borders can help force the people of Mexico to demand better from their govt ! But it`s always how the US is broken or how we don`t do enough. The reason she`s waiting 7 years is because its the whole world wants to come here. I wish her all the best and she has a heartfelt story but it`s one of billions out there. What do you supporters think we should do have open borders ? Every one come to America & sign up for all the benefits and rights we have. It is a privilege to be a American not a right of person who gets across a geographical location. I really like Mexico and would like to see the Mexican people get the country they deserve but stop telling America how we don`t do this or that its insulting. Because I can tell you what Mexico does for American citizens..NOTHING !!!!

I'm so proud of you Larissa!!!!!

Don't get me wrong. I am against illegal immigrants, but this girl did not break any laws. Her parents did. Blame them. Don't try to discourage a smart young women from a great education that she worked so hard for. She did not choose her status as an illegal immigrant, but she was able to succeed despite the odds against her. She is deserves this nation and the ivy league. However, her parents should be punished.

Wow powerful speech and wonderful insight thanks! 😊❤

This is so great. I littearly cried

Let's make America great again!

Little did she know, our President would be enforcing some of the harshest immigration policies and a mass explosion of desperate Haitians trying to survive. 2021 is by far the scariest time to be an immigrant to America.

Deportation!

More criminal feminist activity

She's getting a full ride to Yale. It sure helps to be illegal.

Wow. Now she has an education. That will help Mexico when she gets back. Rules are rules. Try again the legal way. Even though this girl is harmless to the United States, thousands of others aren't. There's a reason they fled Mexico. That reason should stay in Mexico.

This was painfully awkward lol. Her jokes were not funny haha.