An American Alien Tells Dania Ramirez's Powerful Immigration Story

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Dania Ramirez has released a short documentary featuring her own immigration story in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month. In the film, called An American Alien, the Devious Maids actress interviews members of her family and narrates the story of their trip from the Dominican Republic to New York City — a trip her parents took first, leaving Dania and her sister behind until they were settled enough to bring the rest of the family to the US.

In the intro, Dania says: "The misconception of an immigrant in America is that we're not productive members of society. I'm an immigrant. My parents are immigrants. My entire family are immigrants. And we came here for work." The Dominican beauty asks her parents and sister if they think they achieved their idea of the American dream and whether all the sacrifices they made were worth it. Their responses are full of tears and emotion. Watch the full video above, then read more inspiring immigration stories.