When you tell the story of immigration to the United States, you are telling the story of New York City and the people in it.  As a city of immigrants, we all have ties to the movements of people who came from here from around the world, looking for better lives for themselves and their families.  This story holds particular importance for me, having come to the United States from the Dominican Republic when I was 18 years old.  Initially speaking only Spanish I made my way from working as a cabdriver, to obtaining two degrees from the City University, becoming a teacher, helping to found a school in Washington Heights, and finally, becoming a City Council Member.  Just telling my own story explains why so many people have come to New York; when you work together with your community in this city, it is really true that anything is possible.